By Becky Kelley
Those of us who are lucky enough to live in Montana understand the beauty, the fragility and the specialness of this place we call home. We want our great Montana cities to prosper, yet with the decline of major industries such as mining, farming and even tourism, that becomes harder and harder each year.
So how can Montana residents help their cities, their counties and their state succeed financially? By supporting our local businesses. If an industry has declined, then we can help create a new one!
There are many ways in which supporting local businesses can help not only the business, our city, and our state - but also help the customers themselves!
Here are a few great reasons to "buy local":
1. Buying local helps build the community in which we live. The casual, friendly banter you'll take part in at your local grocery store or dry cleaners will help foster relationships and help communities bond.
2. Buying local helps build and reinforce the local economy. Dollars spent at local businesses stay here, in the community where they belong. They aren't sent out to a chain store headquarters in another state.
3. Buying local helps you contribute to your community's unique personality.
4. Buying local helps sustain the environment. Independent small businesses are people-oriented and geared toward out community. They consume less land, carry more products that are made locally, and are in locations that are convenient to residents - which creates less traffic and thus less CO2 emissions.
5. Buying local helps us keep our taxes low. Our local business owners put less of a demand on our infrastructure, plus they generate more tax revenue per sale. They cost less and make more in taxes than larger corporations do.
6. Buying local will help create variety. If more and more residents decide to do the right thing and spend the money they make in Great Falls with Great Falls businesses, then it will be easier for new local businesses to get their start here - each serving their customers' special needs.
7. Buying local will create jobs and secondary opportunities for jobs. For instance, a local grocery store will hire local employees. If the residents shop there, it becomes more successful and will need to hire printers to create sale posters, farmers to supply more food, and accountants to keep the books. Buying local from one business will expand opportunities for other local entrepreneurs. http://www.greatfalls.com is your source for everything about Great Falls, MT. Visit GreatFalls.com for more information on local businesses, real estate, attractions and more in Great Falls, Montana.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Way-the-West-Was-Won---Buying-Local&id=5065860] The Way the West Was Won - Buying Local
