Increase the Wealth in Your Community

Many of us have noticed how some nearby communities seem to be "wealthier" than other nearby communities. They seem to have more shopping markets, more restaurants, more choices; items often cost more in these communities than they do in surrounding areas, yet the affluence remains where the prices are high; people are drawn to these communities, bringing even more resources and more wealth.

The idea behind supporting local economies involves more than just agreeing with a concept, or voting in favor of regulations that favor local business. It involves putting our money where our mouth is?..to spend our money in the community in which we live, for the benefit of those around us. Too many times we are willing to drive long distances to find "exactly what we want" or purchase from internet providers and catalogs, that on a global scale causes large sums of money from a given area to migrate farther away, not to return as a benefit to the community in which it was spent.

There are a variety of reasons as to why this occurs, and all of us are guilty at some point or another. But in order for local economies to survive??.and thrive??.local neighbors must adjust their own mindset to being more receptive to goods and services provided in their own communities. When local business makes money, this in turn revolves back to the public, in terms of growth, more choices, new business creation, and money spent by local business men and women back into the communities from which the money was received. It takes years, and perhaps even decades to see the results sometimes, but a focus on community development, through the spending of your dollars locally, will make a difference in the long run.

About 20 years ago a number of businesses began the acquisition of large quantity goods at extremely low prices, and passed on this savings to the public. The idea caught on like a wave, and mega-stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Home Depot have been popping up all over the United States. Most of us have shopped at one of them, and all of us use products that are available there. We may drive 25 or 30 miles to reach one, and because of the time and distance traveled, we are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on one visit to justify the travel expense.

Large supermarkets of this type bring benefits to the community in terms of jobs. But it brings jobs that often pay single digit wages, perhaps hiring people who were laid off from better paying jobs.

What it does do is put tremendous pressure on local business to compete with pricing. Often they cannot compete well, due to lower customer volume or supply sources, and so can be forced into financial stress, or even bankruptcy, because of the new market's arrival. Many studies have been conducted to determine if the arrival of a national chain market has an overall net benefit to a community, or just weakens the local economy by collecting local dollars and transporting them elsewhere. While studies are inconclusive, many areas are suggesting there is a net loss.

In order for local economies to thrive, jobs must be plentiful and businesses must thrive. By this process, the money-----and that is the largest determining factor of the condition of a local economy---must recycle through that same community in which it was generated. Furthermore, a community must attract the dollars and resources of its surrounding areas, bringing in funding sources from "the outside". Growing economies have a positive net in "dollars recycling", where money is coming in from distant communities and staying there. Depressed economies have a net loss----where more money is leaving the community to buy goods and services elsewhere, rather than being applied in the community from which it was generated through jobs or business.

So one conclusion that can be drawn from this is that to improve our local economy (which involves spending dollars there) we must perhaps change our thinking. By developing a fondness for our home community, and a connection with people in our neighborhoods, it is more likely that we will be willing to spend money in our home areas. The grass is NOT always greener on the other side of the fence. It is greenest where the fertilizer was placed.

-----Tom Clouser Madisonburg, PA

Tom Clouser is a 38 year old farmer in Pennsylvania. In addition to farming, he and his father publish a monthly 16-page newspaper called "Trees 'n' Turf", which targets subjects of interest to those in land use industries and activities. View their website at http://www.clouserfarm.net

---

Government Does Not Pay Its Bills on Time

Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More

The Failures Guide to Small Business Success

How many "get rich schemes" have you joined? Or have... Read More

The Game Plan ? The Difference Between Small Business Success And Failure

It is an American dream to own a business. But... Read More

Starting A Concrete Cleaning Pressure Washer Business

Concrete cleaning can be a lucrative business to start. Here... Read More

How to Become Successful in the Field of Financial Consultants

Financial Consultants are one of the fastest growing industries today.... Read More

Be Nice to Your Payroll Department

Ok, so next to the taxman, your company payroll department... Read More

Effective Customer Interviews Make Life Much Easier!

One of the critical success factors for service-related businesses is... Read More

Todays Chef, Tomorrows Restaurateur -- Startup Tips by Restaurant Consultants Inc

Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More

How To Choose A Franchise

You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe... Read More

Franchisor Prospect Checklist Sample Form

Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and... Read More

Franchise Rule to be Revised; Why?

The FTC, Federal Trade Commission, is considering modifying the franchise... Read More

7 Advantages to Incorporating

There's no question that hard work and a little luck... Read More

How To Select a Franchise

Here are some useful tips on how to select a... Read More

Starting an Aircraft Washing Service

To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More

Small Business Owners - They Owe You The Money Why Dont They Pay?

Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More

Are You Really the Boss in Your Own Business?

I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More

Boston Market; Mobile Auto Detailing

Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More

Trailblazer Interview with Diane J. Levin, Partnering Solutions

Today is a Red Letter Day! It's special because today... Read More

Aircraft Washing Service Operations Manual

Anyone who is serious about washing aircraft as a full... Read More

Your Business and the Story of a Tree; Part One

This morning, I went to take a short walk outside.... Read More

Mobile Car Washes and Shoe Policies

Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More

Competition Relations in Auto Detailing

There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More

Lack of Vigilance Can Harm the Bottom Line

The easiest way to lift profits is to cut the... Read More

Local Search and Internet Yellow Pages - A Whole NewVocabulary for Small Businesss

Buyers want both online and local information about where to... Read More

Small Business - Big Business...Whats the Diff?

Small Business, Big Business ? What's the Diff?Well a lot... Read More

Franchisee; Vacation Managing

Do you own a franchised business? Over 400,000 franchised businesses... Read More

A Great Logo Is A Marketing Must-Have. But Is It Affordable For Small Business Owners?

And is having a logo really that important?My answer to... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Tiger

1. There Are No "gimmes" ? They count two-foot putts... Read More

The Business Failed, But Did You?

Q: After years of dreaming about starting my own business,... Read More

From Birth to Death

Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More

Window Cleaning Business Case Study

How do window cleaning franchise businesses start? It is a... Read More

Small Business - A Thing Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Badly

A thing worth doing is worth doing badly. Yes I... Read More

How Is the LEGAL SYSTEM Dishing Out JUSTICE in Your Town?

Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More