I had an experience when we first moved here 15 years ago that made me realize just how strongly embedded the notion of being “local” is in our island culture.
Standing in line outside the bakery, I listened to a pair of oldtimers debate the qualifications of a City Council candidate.
“Well?” one said, “is he a local?”
The other replied: “I guess, he’s been here about 20 years.”
The answer came back quickly.
“Oh, then he’s still relatively new.”
At that moment I knew there was fierce pride at work in being local, and even stronger dedication to keeping things that way.
As merchants across small-town America struggle to keep their independent, locally owned businesses alive during the current economic downturn, the idea of keeping it local has never been more important. Merchants along Wins-low Way – our celebrated Main Street – are no different.
Current national estimates state that for every $100 spent at local businesses, $68 stays in the community. When you spend that same $100 at a national chain, only $43 stays in the community.
That may not seem like pocket change, but it is a lot of money when you figure that local retail as a source of tax revenue has contributed an average of 41 percent of overall sales and use taxes paid to the city annually, and more than $7.6 million in gross sales taxes since 2002. (Source: COBI Sales and Use Tax Summary, January 2002-February 2010).
Aside from the obvious financial benefits of keeping our dollars local, there are many intangibles that speak to the pride our islanders feel about what local means to their community. The current “Think Local First” campaign at the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal highlights the following 10 reasons to shop local:
1. Keep dollars in our economy.
2. Embrace what makes us unique. You wouldn’t want your house to look like everyone else’s, so why would you want your community to look that way?
3. Create local jobs. Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
4. Help the environment. Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.
5. Nurture your community. We know you, and you know us. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at twice the rate of chains.
6. Conserve your tax dollars. Spending locally instead of online ensures that sales taxes are reinvested where they belong – in your community.
7. Create more choice. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because they buy and sell based on what they know local customers like.
8. Take advantage of expertise. Local merchants are passionate about what they do and how to serve you.
9. Invest in entrepreneurship. Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy are founded upon.
10. Make us a destination. The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will continue to attract new neighbors, visitors and guests.
While it may not be realistic to expect our neighbors to do all of their purchasing locally, please remember the importance and impact of keeping some of your dollars local. Next time you stop in at your favorite Winslow Way merchant, grab a sticker or magnet with the “Think Local First” logo, and make it your part of helping to remind our community how much we value keeping it local!
Andrea Mackin is executive director of the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association.
