To the editor:

With the coronavirus pandemic, the Shop Local movement appears to be on the front line.  Unfortunately, it can be tough these days for local businesses to stay open. They face stiff competition from big-box chain stores and online retailers, which usually offer lower prices and a more extensive selection.

If you want to see your community’s local businesses survive and prosper, we have to go the extra mile – or more accurately, shop close to home.

By shopping local, more of your money will be kept in the county. It helps create local jobs for teachers, fireman, police officers, and many other essential professions.  It also helps conserve energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.

By nurturing our communities it builds relationships with business owners who know you and you know them.  This also conserves your tax dollars to your county, which means businesses support the current infrastructure, and help with less maintenance and provide more to beautify our community. Spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales tax dollars are reinvested where they belong — in our community!

You are their friends and neighbors, and locally owned businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. They’re passionate about what they do. Why not take advantage of it?  Small business is what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.

The more we thrive as a local community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone! Make our community a destination! Shop local, support local!

—Heather Gries
Dale