By choosing local and independent businesses, you not only enjoy a more personal experience, you help!

BUILD COMMUNITY:  The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood-scale businesses and the public space around them build relationships and community cohesiveness.  They’re the ultimate social networking sites.

STRENGTHEN YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY:  Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain—a benefit we all can bank on.

SHAPE OUR CHARACTER:  Independent businesses help give your community its distinct personality

YOU CAN BUY IT WHERE YOU TRY IT:  Local stores enable you to try on and try out items before you buy—and get real expertise—saving your time and money.

CREATE A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT:  Independent, community-serving businesses are people-sized.  They typically consume less land, carry more locally-made products, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution.

LOWER TAXES:  More efficient land use and more central locations mean local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers, and safety services.  They also generate more tax revenue per sales dollar.  The bottom line:  a greater percentage of local independent businesses keeps your taxes lower.

ENHANCE CHOICES:  A wide variety of independent businesses, each serving their customers’ tastes, creates greater overall choice for all of us.

INCREASE WEALTH OF RESIDENTS: The multiplier effect created by spending locally generates lasting impact on the prosperity of local organizations and residents.

CREATE JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES:  Not only do independent businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also are the customers of local printers, accountants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc., expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY:  Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams compared to big businesses.

ENHANCE LOCAL DEMOCRACY:  Local ownership of business means residents with roots in the community are involved in key development decisions that shape our lives and local environment.

ENHANCE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS:  Research shows a strong correlation between the percentage of small locally-owned firms and various indicators of personal community health and vitality.

This article was originally published by the American Independent Business Alliance. (AMIBA.net/localhero)