Ever wonder why small businesses try to encourage you to buy local?  Independent We Stand presents some really good reasons to consider!

What is Independent We Stand?

Independent We Stand is a movement of independently owned businesses across the country dedicated to educating their communities about the importance-and the benefits-of “buying local.”

What will happen when I “Shop Local”?

When you buy products and services from independent locally-owned and operated businesses, you support the community in many ways:

The Economy

• Small business accounts for 75% of all new jobs.

• When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and it drops to $43.

• For every square foot a local firm occupies, the local economy gains $179 vs. $105 for a chain store.

• Locally-owned businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60% higher rate than chains and Internet retailers.

• Small businesses employ just over half all U.S. workers.

• Small businesses create more than half the nonfarm private gross domestic product (GDP).

• Locally-owned and operated businesses create higher-paying jobs for you and your neighbors.

• More of your tax dollars are reinvested in your community to fund local schools, hire more police officers and improve roads.*

*Sources: U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Nation; Civic Economics – Andersonville Study of Retail Economics. Civic Economics – San Francisco Report on Retail Diversity. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Buy Local Berkeley.

The Community

Did you know independent locally owned and operated businesses…

• Are run by your neighbors—maybe even friends or family? They genuinely care about the well-being of your community because it’s their home too.

• Are among the first to offer their communities a helping hand? Small businesses donate about twice as much per employee to charitable organizations as large businesses.*

• Add character, quality and charm to your community, not to mention more choices? Often these smaller shops carry items that bigger stores don’t sell—usually because there’s not enough of the really good stuff to go around or the profit margin isn’t high enough for the big guys to stock.

*Source: Small Business Administration

The Environment

• When you shop at independent locally owned and operated businesses, you are contributing to a smaller carbon footprint. Products often require less packaging and don’t travel as far.

• Many independent locally owned and operated businesses can be found in established business districts, which mean less infrastructure, less maintenance and less wear and tear on your community.

Why now?

It is time for us to take matters into our own hands. YOU can do something to help YOUR local community. Economists believe the greatest hope for a full recovery lies with small, locally owned businesses. They have been and always will be the backbone of our economy. Support your community’s independent locally owned businesses and you can help make a difference.

What do we hope to accomplish?

The IWS goal is to revive small businesses by helping independently owned and operated businesses gain more sales transactions in their own community. This will generate new jobs, which will lead to more local income that can be reinvested to strengthen the local community overall and make it a better place to live.

How do I get involved?

• Independent Business Owner- Register your Business

• Consumer- Join the Movement

• Buy Independent