#1 KEEP DOLLARS IN PUTNAM COUNTY'S ECONOMY (Your Economy!)
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays in the local economy, creating jobs and expanding the county's tax base. For every $100 spent at a national chain or franchise store, only $14 remains in the community.
#2 CONSERVE YOUR TAX DOLLARS
Small neighborhood and downtown businesses require less public infrastructure and make more efficient use of city services compared to sprawling big-box stores and shopping centers, which are far more costly in terms of road work and police services.
#3 FOSTER LOCAL JOB CREATION
Studies show that locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than national chains. They also employee local carpenters, plumbers, web designers, advertisers, etc.
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#4 PRESERVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low wage jobs and into the middle class. Plus, the success of locally owned, independent businesses provides real-life inspiration to our young people, proving that they can stay in New York and prosper on their own terms.
#5 BENEFIT FROM LOCAL OWNERS' EXPERTISE
Local business owners and employees often possess a level of expertise and a passion for the products they sell that is unmatched by employees and managers of national chains. They also tend to have a greater interest in getting to know their customers---who are, after all, also their neighbors. Simply put, local owners and employees take a special pride in their trade.
#6 HAVE MORE CHOICES
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses helps to ensure more innovation and competition, and lower prices over the long term. Independent businesses, choosing products based on what their local customers need and desire, not a national sales plan, guarantees a more diverse range of product and service choices.
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#7 HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
Local business owners tend to set up shop in existing commercial properties and in neighborhood business districts, rather than developing on large tracts of undeveloped land. Having a diverse array of businesses within walking or biking distance reduces the amount of driving Putnam County residents must do to shop for goods and services. It also helps to conserve land, limit sprawl and lessen traffic and air pollution.
#8 NURTURE COMMUNITY
Independent businesses are owned by people who live in this community and are committed to investing in Putnam County's future. Locally owned businesses contribute more than twice as much of their revenue to charitable causes as corporate chains do. And advocates of local causes find that local business owners are generally much more accessible than executives of large corporations based in other states.
#9 EMBRACE WHAT MAKES PUTNAM COUNTY UNIQUE
Putnam is a county of neighborhoods. Where we shop, where we eat and hang out-all of it makes our neighborhood home. Chain stores are growing more aggressive throughout Putnam County and threatening to change the unique character of our city. One-of-a-kind, independent businesses are an integral part of what makes Putnam County a great place to live.
#10 ENSURE PUTNAM COUNTY STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character are more likely to attract entrepreneurs and new investment. Putnam County places a high value on individuality and considers our homegrown enterprises a source of pride. They are also an attraction to visitors.
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