Shopping locally creates jobs, strengthens the community, encourages local prosperity and preserves our unique identity.
Money spent at local businesses generates 3.5 times more wealth for the whole local economy compared to money spent outside our Shire.
1. Buy Local, Support Yourself
Many economic studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms, therefore continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
2. Support Community Groups
Non-profit organisations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Create More Jobs
Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and with community support, local businesses are able to provide more jobs to residents.
4. Keep Our Community Unique
Where we shop, where we eat and have fun, all of it makes our community home. Our one of a kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of Lockhart Shire. Our tourism businesses also benefit, as when people go on holidays, they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.
5. Invest In The Community
Local businesses are owned by people who live in the community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
6. Get Better Service
Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Encourage Local Prosperity
A growing body of economic research shows that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
8. Put Your Taxes To Good Use
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy What You Want To Buy
A marketplace of small businesses ensures innovation and low prices over the long-term, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on the needs and interests of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Reduce Environmental Impact
Locally owned businesses generally set up shop in town centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Support the local businesses that support the community where you live, work and play.
