Economy

Local Economy Many people are recognizing that locally-owned businesses are much more beneficial to a community than businesses owned by outsiders or chains with little or no connection to the citizens and well-being of the community. Around the U.S. and in other countries, local citizens and businesses are supporting each other to the benefit of all.
American Independent Business Alliance
Helps communities and locally-owned businesses mutually support each other
Andersonville Study of Retail Economics
Study done in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. It found:
Local merchants generate substantially greater economic impact than chain retailers.
Development of urban sites with directly competitive chain merchants will reduce the overall vigor of the local economy.
Modest changes in consumer spending habits can generate substantial local economic impact.
For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the Chicago economy vs. $43 for spending at a chain store.
For every square foot occupied by a local firm, local economic impact is $179 vs. $105 for a chain store
Benefits of Doing Business Locally
Benefits to communities and citizens in patronizing local businesses
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)
Building long-term economic empowerment and prosperity in communities through local business ownership, economic justice, cultural diversity and a healthy natural environment.
Buying Local and the Circulating Dollar
Often local business prices are lower than chain stores, and the money you spend there stays in the community.
Local Ownership Pays Off for Communities
Financial benefits to the community of locally-owned businesses
The Home Town Advantage
Reviving Locally-Owned Business – From the New Rules Project