There is a growing trend to โbuy localโ. More and more people are talking about it, and local companies are including it in their advertising.
What does it really mean, and why is it so important?
As we spend our money locally, as opposed to buying online, every dollar circulates several times before finding its way out of our economy. As it circulates, the money flows through all the businesses in Southern Arizona. This revenue allows those businesses to hire and promote more people. As businesses create additional jobs, there is less pressure on social subsidies like unemployment and food stamps.
In addition, every dollar spent locally generates taxes for schools, roads, fire, police and other services we all appreciate. The additional tax revenues allow municipalities to reinstate programs that were cut due to funding concerns. Schools could offer more sports and arts programs, as well as pay teachers enough to attract the very best of the best. Municipalities would have money to offer tax incentives to attract quality companies to Southern Arizona. These quality companies bring with them quality jobs. The people with these new, high-paying jobs spend their money locally, too โ the benefits never stop.
Conversely, money spent online is gone from our local economy immediately. You might save money initially when buying online, but it costs all of us in the long run. Our taxes go up, roads deteriorate, the quality of fire and police protection goes down. We cannot pay teachers what they are worth, good businesses will continue to close, and unemployment rates go up.
Consider diverting some of your online spending to our local economy. Find a brick-and-mortar business in Southern Arizona to spend your money with. Any small business or franchise physically located in Southern Arizona will do.
โBuying localโ might create a much better place for all of us to call home.
