Choosing locally means where, how and how much of the money we have is spent with the interest of supporting our community. When needs are met locally by locally owned enterprises, people have greater control over their lives, because that dollar spent usually is circulated 6 to 15 times, therefore the money is recycled in the community rather than leaking off into the global financial casino. This means jobs are more secure, economies are more stable, and there are the means and the incentives to protect the environment and to build the relationships of mutual trust and responsibility that are the foundation of a community. Mathematical translation means that one dollar spent locally can generate an average of $10 dollars within that particular community, while a $1 spent at a chain establishment will be relocated out of town without delay. This is where mapclicks.com comes in by offering a Choose Local card that will help you support the local economy. The Choose Local card will give you access to businesses that appreciate your support which in return will offer benefits of reduced prices, free upgrades or other convenient offers depending on their services. To find businesses that welcome the Choose Local card all you have to do is check out www.MapClicks.com web site where you can select the Choose Local logo. Also while in a neighborhood you may notice a Choose Local decal in the window for all those that want to support the process of choosing local.

Some other reasons to choose local are….

Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive culture

Big box retailers and strip malls have replaced traditional locally owned shops (and continue to do so!) taking away the unique character that so many tourists will visit a location that offers to them a sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.

Local businesses tend to offer greater support to Non-profits

Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

Reduce environmental footprint

Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

 Small businesses offer large amount of jobs

Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally. The 200 largest corporations in the world employ less than 1% of the global workforce although they account for about 30% of global economic activity.

Customer service is better

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. Plus, independent business people genuinely love what they do, and have the ability to go above and beyond to make sure you are a satisfied customer.

Competition

A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

Public benefits far outweigh public costs

Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

Competition and diversity leads to more choices

A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

So what do you think? Well you have options, so next time you go eat somewhere or shop for a sweater look for the Choose Local decal. It pays off in the end.