Retail dollars spent locally continue to circulate throughout our community. If local residents commit to spending just 10% of the dollars they currently spend out of town, in town, it will add over $20 million to our local economy.
When you buy locally, you help provide job opportunities. Mower County businesses employ about 16,000 people and have a collective payroll of more than $530 million. Many of those jobs are in the retail sector. Doing business with these stores helps them hire and retain employees (your friends and neighbors)!
Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses. In Mower County, businesses contribute more than $3 million each year to a variety of organizations, such as United Way.
In Minnesota, business property owners are taxed at a much higher rate than other property owners. Those tax dollars are used locally to improve our community’s streets, parks, schools, etc. As we add businesses, we strengthen our tax base, providing more dollars for community development while reducing the tax burden on homeowners.
They are owned by people who live and work in our community, raising their families and investing in our community’s future. They support our churches, our schools, our organizations, our way of life.
Local businesses provide a wide variety of products and services, right here in our community. Many of these are “one-of-a-kind” businesses that provide our community with its own distinct character. The more people shop here, the more products and services will be available.
Shopping locally saves time and money. A shopping trip to another community costs you nearly 50 cents per mile, each way, and valuable time away from your home. Pocket the savings and treat your family to a night on the town!
Shopping local businesses reduces gas consumption, pollution and our dependence on foreign oil. It also reduces vehicle maintenance costs. In many cases, you can even walk!
Local businesses are staffed by local residents, your friends and neighbors. You get better service from people you know and who know you. And you can catch up on “what’s new” with other customers as you shop.
Everyone benefits when people shop locally, and your community thrives.
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Money spent here, stays here
Jobs and Wages
Non-profits receive greater support
Stronger Tax Base
Local business owners invest in our community
Better Variety 
Convenience equals savings
Green-friendly
Friends and Neighbors
Community-pride