In states across the US, economic reports and studies on the impact of locally owned businesses have shown that about 45% to 68% of the money you spend in your community is given back to the local economy.

Comparatively, big box stores on average return 13% to 14% of their revenue to the local economy, mostly in the form of payroll. The rest of the revenue goes back to corporate headquarters or goes to out-of-state suppliers.

The biggest ways independent locally owned businesses gave back are:

1. wages and benefits paid to local employees
2. goods and services purchased from other local businesses
3. profits that accrued to local owners
4. taxes paid to local and state government
5. and greater support for community groups

Diverse and numerous small and independent businesses provide a stable tax base and generally require less costly infrastructure and public services, thereby providing a good return on investment to local governments.

They also have more stable local employment. Numerous small and independent businesses provide a strong tax base that can support public projects, schools, and cultural activities, enhancing the quality of life in a community. Community and non-profit organizations benefit from the financial, in-kind, and volunteer support of local businesses.

It depends. In some cases, you may pay a little more at the local pharmacy than at some mass merchandiser stores or online, but on average, their prices are lower than chain pharmacies. However, more of those dollars are kept in the community and for some shoppers, the personalized attention and care from the local business may be worth spending a couple extra dollars.

Reports have also shown that discounted prices from chain stores are often temporary. Some big box stores have offered reduced pricing when they move in to a neighborhood in order to eliminate the competition and gain market share. Over time, however, prices go up. While this may help your wallet in the short term, the long-term may not prove to be saving any more money.

When comparing small businesses, those with less than 500 employees, to large business having over 500 employees, there is about one third difference in pay. However, economic studies are showing that this difference will dwindle as Some big box stores have a reputation for paying employees low wages and the

Reports show that small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and provide the most jobs to residents in the community. While some large firms have historically paid higher wages, economic studies are showing that this difference is dwindling as these firms outsource support or ship production overseas which has not resulted in more wages for employees. Furthermore, some big box stores are known for employing massive amounts of low-wage earners who don't earn enough to meet minimum living standards and then make major staff reductions when needed to meet corporate obligations to their stockholders.

Not at all. The goal is to provide consumers with a choice on where to shop by giving them information about the businesses in their local community and to understand some of the benefits of buying local.

While environmental laws vary in effectiveness and impact for large and small businesses, in general a locally-owned business has a lower environmental impact. A local business can make more purchases from local suppliers requiring less transportation and set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the outskirts of town. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

If we become more self-reliant then yes; other countries who export goods to our country may suffer. However, some businesses and countries seek to share the self-reliance movement with those countries to get them to create their own local economy. Over time, shopping locally could have a more widespread impact to spread self-reliance beyond the local community to more third world countries.

• Choice -- People want choice rather than limited access to the same homogenized items they could find in any town, anywhere. A marketplace of numerous small businesses helps to spark innovation and lowers prices over the long-term. Having a variety of small businesses selecting unique products based on the needs of their local customers and their interests guarantees a much broader range of product choices and promotes healthy local competition.
• Better service -- Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers since many of them are neighbors in their community.
• Investing in the future -- Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community and are less likely to leave. As they have invested in their local businesses, they are also more invested in the community's future.
• Supporting Prosperity -- A community the supports local businesses is more likely to attract creative entrepreneurs and skilled workers to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
• Community Identity -- Independent retailers are important, highly visible and influential partners in the movement toward local living economies. A healthy independent retail sector has an undeniably large impact on a community's unique sense of place that speaks to locals and supports tourism.

Our mission is to provide a fun way for consumers to shop locally by connecting with independent retail businesses in their community. We do this by sharing the stories of featured independent retail businesses  and what makes them unique  in our fine-bound Guidebook. Through our Mobile App and Website, consumers can access the best local deals directly from independent retail businesses in their community. We empower local merchants by giving them a simple way to connect and share their deals directly with the community. For consumers, we make it more fun to support local business by rewarding them with cash prizes for check-ins.