Why Local First?
Top 5 Reasons to Choose Local Business First
We define a business as "local" when it's headquartered in Colorado, and not owned by a non-Colorado parent. To qualify as a member, businesses must meet these criteria.
Locally owned businesses are different because they're operated by people who live in our community. Their businesses not only provide vital goods and services, but the way they manage their business is informed by the impact it will have on our greater community. Local business owners create local relationships, and work more often with other local companies. These connections help to build an economy that is more resilient. Be sure to search for local businesses near you on our directory of locally owned businesses, to find local food, local shops and local service providers. (link opens in new tab).
By choosing to patronize locally owned establishments, you make a positive impact on our community in many ways. Here are just 5 of them:
1. Environment By buying things made closer to home, you’re cutting down on fossil fuel use, reducing your carbon impact and saving money.
2. Local Economy Local businesses buy more often from other local businesses, so the money you spend is retained in the community in a more concentrated fashion.
3. Local Flavor The experience at a local establishment is completely unique – providing the local fl avor of the area
4. Community Care Local entrepreneurs are more connected to our community, because they live here, too. They are more likely than their competitors to get involved in community e fforts.
5. Voicing Your Opinion You are voting with your dollar to say, “Hey, I like this place and the neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without it.”
Locally owned businesses are different because they're operated by people who live in our community. Their businesses not only provide vital goods and services, but the way they manage their business is informed by the impact it will have on our greater community. Local business owners create local relationships, and work more often with other local companies. These connections help to build an economy that is more resilient. Be sure to search for local businesses near you on our directory of locally owned businesses, to find local food, local shops and local service providers. (link opens in new tab).
By choosing to patronize locally owned establishments, you make a positive impact on our community in many ways. Here are just 5 of them:
1. Environment By buying things made closer to home, you’re cutting down on fossil fuel use, reducing your carbon impact and saving money.
2. Local Economy Local businesses buy more often from other local businesses, so the money you spend is retained in the community in a more concentrated fashion.
3. Local Flavor The experience at a local establishment is completely unique – providing the local fl avor of the area
4. Community Care Local entrepreneurs are more connected to our community, because they live here, too. They are more likely than their competitors to get involved in community e fforts.
5. Voicing Your Opinion You are voting with your dollar to say, “Hey, I like this place and the neighborhood wouldn’t be the same without it.”
Bank Local First
Buy Local Week
Eat Local First
West Wash Park
Studies & Research on Local First
Numerous studies have been conducted in the past decade comparing the
impact of locally owned businesses to non-local businesses. Here's just
one:
Local Works! Examining the Impact of Local Business on the West Michigan Economy, September 2008, by Civic Economics
Key finding: A modest change in consumer behavior - a mere 10 percent shift in market share to independent businesses from chain stores - would result in 1,600 new jobs, $53 million in wages, and a $137 million economic impact to the area.
Additional research and studies available through:
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is a national organization that supports local business networks in over 65 cities in the US and Canada. http://www.livingeconomies.org
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance(ILSR) proposes a set of new rules that builds community by supporting humanly scaled politics and economics. http://www.newrules.org/
Or find these books at your nearest local book store:
The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, by Michael H. Shuman
Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, by Bill McKibben
Local Works! Examining the Impact of Local Business on the West Michigan Economy, September 2008, by Civic Economics
Key finding: A modest change in consumer behavior - a mere 10 percent shift in market share to independent businesses from chain stores - would result in 1,600 new jobs, $53 million in wages, and a $137 million economic impact to the area.
Additional research and studies available through:
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is a national organization that supports local business networks in over 65 cities in the US and Canada. http://www.livingeconomies.org
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance(ILSR) proposes a set of new rules that builds community by supporting humanly scaled politics and economics. http://www.newrules.org/
Or find these books at your nearest local book store:
The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition, by Michael H. Shuman
Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, by Bill McKibben
Thanks to our Founding Members
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