Cinda Baxter writes in her blog, “always upward: blog” about the power of “supporting local business in small, easily consumable bites” by keeping our money local. In other words, with more businesses losing their leases every day, we can make a big difference by making a small change in our shopping habits.

We all shop. It’s a part of daily life and there is power in your shopping habits. Instead of going into neighboring cities, or even counties let’s choose to patronize those businesses in our own community.

Why?

•Keep money in our community: Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned businesses.
•Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy. Community businesses are going to stock their stores based upon the needs of their community. Let them know what you want and they will have the motivation to please their neighbors.
•Put your taxes to good use
•Support community groups – Our local businesses are the ones who sponsor our youth sports teams and donate to our auctions.
•Create more good jobs – there are city mottos based upon the theme of live, work, and play in the same city in which you live. Not having a commute is definitely a “plus”

This list is by no means exhaustive. What other reasons can you think of?

Now on the flip side of this concept, how can you, the Orange County Business Owner reach the patrons in your neighborhood. Welcome Express is “home plate” for new residents who are ready to touch base with their current surroundings. In addition to welcoming newcomers with a package of valuable welcome gifts from local businesses, we provide an online directory containing tools and resources – a mini yellow pages for newcomers. Take a look!