Here’s one to ponder: $1 spent in a locally-owned store creates $5 to $14 worth of value before it leaves the community.

Image from seasonspeakmarketing.com

From the Portland, Oregon Better Living Show:

The result of buying locally is a more sustainable community with local businesses that are owned by local people who are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future. And studies have shown that when you buy from locally owned business, rather than a national organization, significantly more of your money is used to support other local businesses which continues to strengthen the economic base of the community.

In Northwest Earth Institute’s Choices for Sustainable Living Tim Mitchell states, “A dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community.”  That means that when you spend a dollar at your local coffee shop, you create $5 to $14 in value within that community. Mitchell further states, “Spend $1 at a national chain store and 80% leaves town immediately.”

Yet another good reason to shop local.