I’m not giving up on preaching the benefits and community rewards when we take the time to support and patronize as many local businesses as possible in our private and professional lives. Why does that not resonate loud and clear to every citizen of Catawba County? Now, more than ever, with the economic stability of our local economy being pressured to the breaking point, we must take ownership of this campaign and change our buying habits right now!

You will soon be seeing "Shop Local…An Investment in Your Local Community" shopping bags throughout Catawba County thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and drive of Sally Fox, owner of The Sally Company in downtown Hickory. This is not just a Shop Hickory promotion, and she is still consumed with the promotion and the message that it sends county-wide. A rising tide lifts all ships.

Thank you, Sally, for showing me your bag design, and the more than 2,000 pre-sold bag orders that you walked door to door to get, showing your fellow merchants the importance of the campaign message. With the Chamber’s help, we will now take this county-wide to merchants in every community for pre-orders, and order enough bags to take care of any business that would like to purchase them and support the campaign.

The campaign message is simple. When you support local businesses, you share the wealth with the entire community. Top 10 reasons why:

• Conserves your tax dollars
• Creates and retains jobs
• Leads to better wages
• Keeps sales tax dollars local and working for you
• Results in better customer service
• Enhances community gifting
• Makes pricing more competitive
• Helps the environment and saves gas
• Supports entrepreneurship
• Stimulates a more diverse range of products and service choices.

If that is not enough, how about the economic benefits of shopping with an independently-owned business. For every $100 spent at an independently-owned store, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, as compared with $43 with a national chain, and $0 if you go on-line.

If you are a business and would like to see the design layout of the Shop Local bags and the cost, contact the Chamber ASAP at 828.328.6111. We would appreciate your support in helping to get this message out to all Catawba County consumers.