Why Should We Shop Locally?

Shop Local Campaign Sponsored by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce

IRONWOOD, MI - by IACC Executive Director Donna Scorse - Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - The Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce (IACC) has embarked on a very enthusiastic “Shop Local” campaign this holiday season.

Yesterday I saw a local television channel interview an early holiday shopper. This shopper was aggressively taking advantage of pre-holiday sales at the Target store in Duluth, Minnesota. She was quoted as saying “Now that I am done with most of my holiday shopping I can return to Michigan.” I was so stunned that I was actually speechless.

We have abundant shopping opportunities here in our area. Our community is fortunate to have so many businesses with so many choices for holiday shopping – from automobiles to appliances to furniture and jewelry – WE HAVE IT ALL!!

What does it really mean to shop locally? How does this activity benefit the community as a whole? Whether one owns a business or works for an owner as a full time or part time employee, the effect of shopping locally yields broad benefits. Economists can accurately calculate local dollars using two indicators – direct expenditures and indirect expenditures.

If you purchase from local merchants you help retain their employees. The money from local purchases is deposited in a local bank. But all of it does not stay there – the suppliers of items are paid, employees receive their wages. New stock is ordered, utilities for the stores are paid, garbage collectors are paid. These direct expenditures are necessary to keep our merchant stores open. A portion of the sales money will be earmarked for local taxes, which in turn keep our schools running, this money also provides for necessary repairs to our infrastructure. Our local law enforcement agencies can remain financially viable ensuring public safety for our communities. The same holds true for our EMT’s, fire departments and even our local libraries.

Money that remains from your initial purchase goes to pay owners wages, they purchase groceries at our local markets, they buy clothing, pay their mortgage or shelter expenses and any other number of services from hair salons to gas stations and convenience stores. Money is spent at local restaurants and various forms of entertainment. Some of this circulatory money goes for home repairs which keep our local lumber and hardware stores in business.

Our merchant employees deposit their payroll checks at our local banks and this circulatory process and trail of money continues.

Economists indicate that one local dollar can thread and weave its way around our local area seven times. It is clear that money spent in our area stays in our area. WE ARE A PROUD MERCHANT TOWN. Our money spent locally keeps our pulse beating for the stability and continuation of our communities.

We ask local businesses to contribute to our local fund raising activities and to charitable organizations – and they always respond with open hands and a big heart.

I challenge each of you to shop locally this year and help make our community a better place to live and work.

Celebrate family and friends this year with a family Christmas spirit. Share your peace and joy with others.

We thank you for your continued support and wish you and yours the blessings of this holiday season.

Donna Scorse
Executive Director – Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce
The Executive Board of Directors