Are you shopping locally?

Nationwide, it’s the centerpiece of Chamber of Commerce campaigns aimed at fighting the recession, and a mantra that has been evoked by main street movers and shakers for decades.

Economic studies by universities, think tanks and government agencies show that spending locally keeps cash in communities, creates jobs, produces local taxes, saves consumers time, money and gas and builds prosperity. Those same studies speak to the significant “multiplier effect” of a dollar spent locally and how it’s “re-invested” in the community over several business transactions.

Granted, shopping locally by itself will not prevent an economic downturn. Although Alberta's resource wealth is helping to insulate Albertans from the worst of the fluctuations, local businesses across the province were the first to feel the pressure of our unprecedented boom and labor shortage, and are now the first to feel the pressure of the economic downturn.

With the threat of financial crisis on the horizon, we are all watching what we spend, and that’s not likely to change soon.

But we still go to grocery, hardware and clothing stores. We still buy birthday presents for friends and family, repair our cars, improve our homes and even enjoy the occasional night out. 

The idea is, when we do spend, why not make it right here at home, because supporting local small business...

These days, we're all thinking carefully about how
we spend our money -- why not spend yours toward
building a stronger, sustainable economy?