Through most of human history, everything was grown and produced locally. If you didn’t have it, you traded for it or went without. It’s only been fairly recently that our world has turned “global” in nature. Now everything from the food we eat, to the clothes we wear to the cars we drive may have been produced half way around the world.
A growing number of folks are starting to shop and buy locally for good reasons. So why should you purchase from a local farm that grows trees? Here are a few good reason we came up with, (a little help from the American Independent Business Alliance):
Build community: The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood–scale businesses and the public spaces around them build relationships and community cohesiveness.
Strengthen the local economy: Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain (almost 50 times more than buying from an online mega-retailer) — a benefit we all can bank on.
Buy it where it grew: Did you know that trees grow accustom to the environment they were raised in? For example, trees grown in colder climates naturally become more cold hardy. Doesn’t it make sense to plant trees that are accustom to our local climate in your yard?
Create a healthier environment: Independent, community-serving businesses are people-sized. They typically consume less land, carry more locally-made products, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution.
Lower taxes: More efficient land use and more central locations mean local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers, and safety services. They also generate more tax revenue per sales dollar. The bottom line: a greater percentage of local independent businesses keeps your taxes lower.
Better value for yourself: Reader surveys by the Consumers Union repeatedly show independent businesses beating their chain competitors in overall customer satisfaction (and often save you money).
Create jobs and opportunities: Not only do independent businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also are the customers of local printers, accountants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc., expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Enhanced choices: A wide variety of independent businesses, each serving their customers’ tastes, creates greater overall choice for all of us.
Give back to the your community: Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams compared to big businesses.
Content Source: https://www.amiba.net/resources/localhero/
Charlotte Creek Nursery 