When you shop at local small businesses, you’re not just getting great products and services — you’re also helping build a stronger community. Small businesses are the backbone of every community, and when they thrive, everyone in that community benefits.
That’s why it’s so crucial for everyone to do their part in keeping local businesses alive and thriving. Here are just a few of the ways supporting small local businesses helps the community, and you, as a consumer:
-
Local businesses create jobs and grow the local economy
To say that local businesses create jobs and help grow the local economy isn’t just a nice idea-it’s proven by facts. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses are responsible for creating around 47% of new jobs annually in America and make up 99 percent of all employer firms.
This means that local businesses are the primary source of employment for people living in every community. If these businesses close down, it puts the livelihood of many at stake because there are no other businesses to take their place.
-
Local businesses are more likely to give back to the community
When a local business closes, the community is always one of the hardest hit. Not only does it mean that several people will lose their jobs, but it also means that less money will be going toward supporting the community through taxes and other financial contributions.
Local businesses, however, are more likely to give back to their communities because they support them. They understand that when they give back to their community, it also helps them. For example, a local business may offer high school students job opportunities or internships or support their local sports teams.
-
Local businesses strengthen ties within the community
There are few things as inviting as a locally owned business. When you walk down the street and pass by a local shop, cafe, or restaurant, the chances are that it has an inviting atmosphere, such as one that feels like home. This is important when you want to ensure that the community is strong and unified.
Since small businesses mean so much to their communities, they naturally want to make people feel at home when they visit them. This only means that when you shop and support local businesses in your community, you’re helping to strengthen these ties.
-
Local businesses keep the unique culture alive
One of the best parts about living in a community is that you’re surrounded by people who are similar to you. The culture, values, and traditions that make up the community are what make it so special.
When you support local businesses, you help these unique establishments to thrive and continue their traditions. These local businesses, in turn, preserve the community’s culture and make it even more special.
-
Local businesses help to bring people together
When you shop at local businesses, you’re not just preserving culture — you’re also helping bring people together. Since these are the places where people meet, talk, laugh, and experience new things together every day, supporting them does bring people closer.
So the next time you need a professional service, consider working with a provider included in the list of HUBZone-certified businesses. Not only will you be able to get a quality product or service, but you’ll also help someone in your local community.
-
Local businesses promote sustainable living practices
Not every local business is an eco-friendly one, but the chances are that the majority of them make efforts to be as green and sustainable as possible. Whether through recycling, using eco-friendly materials, or having a low carbon footprint, local businesses are part of the solution to a greener world.
Small businesses are more environmentally friendly than large corporations as a whole. This is because they tend to take into account the effects that their business practices and decisions have on the environment. When you support local businesses, you help them to protect Mother Earth as well.
Of course, this is just the beginning of how shopping at local businesses truly does help to build a stronger community. Whether it’s helping people find jobs, creating opportunities for people to give back, or even bringing people together, the truth remains that local businesses are the foundation of every community.
If you want to truly make a difference in your community, consider shopping at local businesses. By spending just a bit more at these establishments, you’re truly doing much more than just taking care of yourself or your family — you’re helping to build a stronger community.
