1.                  Buy Local: –  Buying from local business positively impacts the community because local businesses spend more locally than out of state businesses, who mostly support the area through payroll alone. (http://localfirstvermont.org/resources/document.2006-08-29.5052203224- documentation).   Locally spent dollars return to benefit locals. 

 

2.                  Support community groups: 250% more support for non-profit organizations is gathered from smaller business owners than from large businesses.

 

3.                  Keep Vermont unique and vital:   What makes Vermont special is the quality way of life here, the goods and food we produce, the services offered, the one-of-a-kind stores we own. An integral part of Vermont’s charm are the farms, shops, and inns whose localness we cherish.

 

4.                  Less Carbon Footprint: Locally owned businesses often purchase goods locally. Therefore less transportation and fuel are used. Many local businesses are established in town or city centers and contribute less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution than larger stores who develop on the outskirts.

 

5.                  Strong Job Opportunities: Small local businesses employ the most residents and nationally, are the largest employer.

 

6.                  Better Connection: Local businesses often employ people who best understand the products they are selling and spend time getting to know customers. 

 

7.                  Community Investment: Local businesses are owned local residents who are invested in the community’s future.

 

8.                  Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require far less infrastructure expense and make better use of public services than nationally owned businesses that enter Vermont.

 

9.                  A prosperous place to live: Entrepreneurs and skilled workers unsatisfied with homogenized places to live, are proving to settle in small thriving communities where uniqueness, vitality, and independence abound.