Shopping local must become a community mindset

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June 30, 2010

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Jun 30, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — Take a moment and think about the qualities that make Milledgeville and Baldwin County unique, and beyond the rich and storied history and its rich cultural attributes, your mind may turn toward the local shops and eateries that add to this community’s character.

This week, July 1-7, local entities are teaming to celebrate those aspects of the local community in recognition of Independents Week, an event geared at recognizing the importance and impact of local businesses and retailers.

Throughout the week, the City of Milledgeville and Digital Bridges will join in the promotion of independent businesses by encouraging local residents to use their influence and dollars at local stores to help fuel the local economy.

Imagine what Milledgeville would be like without access to the local restaurants, specialty shops and even services such as the hospital and others. Now try to imagine how important these businesses are to the local economy and what a huge portion of it they comprise, bringing in tourist dollars, supporting community outreach and worthy causes by giving back and providing service and quality.

It’s been said that statistically, 45 cents out of every dollar spent locally stays in the community through social, cultural and economic endeavors.

In addition to that fact, local retailers add to the hometown feel of a community, its distinctive character and flavor, the elements that set it apart from other locales and make it unique. They also promote a spirit of entrepreneurship and ingenuity, in support of the concept that solid new ideas and business dreams are possible to see come to fruition with the right kind of know-how.

Shopping local produces healthier neighborhoods and facilitates growth as they encourage others to build, develop and establish.

During last year’s busy holiday shopping season, the impact of local buying power resulted in an increase in sales for independent retailers in a season when overall retail sales dipped during the months of November and December 2009, according to a national survey of more than 1,800 independent businesses.

Independents Week is also an opportunity to bring greater attention to a local effort that is already encouraging local business support and promotion. Shop Local Milledgeville is a website aimed at encouraging local business support.

It’s a venue where business owners can register online for free and share information with customers on their business profile. They can even make their own coupons to promote sales or special events and have items posted on the website calendar of events. Customers can go online and find out more about the local businesses that are listed and the products and services they offer and who and how to contact them. It’s a great resource that certainly deserves a look.

It’s important to remember that the local mindset must carry over all year long and that it must start at home. If members of the local community don’t support local retailers, it’s hard to see or expect that others will either.

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