It’s that time again - Holiday Shopping Season. It seems to come earlier each year, doesn’t it?

We’ll soon be seeing references to campaigns like Small Business Saturday and Shop Local. While these are a good start, they don’t go far enough - especially since Small Business Saturday is the day after Black Friday.Shop Local should be top-of-mind all year round. (And don’t small businesses deserve more than one special day?)

The Amherst County Chamber of Commerce is participating in Small Business Season, which runs from the beginning of November to the end of December, because it gives us a larger window to share why supporting local businesses is key to a strong community.
 

We’ll be highlighting local businesses, their unique takes on the holiday season, and just how important shopping locally is to them. But even Small Business Season doesn’t address the other ten months of the year. Local and small businesses need us year-round. The tag-line for this year’s SBS is “Every purchase has a purpose. Shop Local.”
 

Here are a few ways purchasing from small and local businesses support Amherst County serves a greater purpose.

More money spent in Amherst County stays in Amherst County. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, 68% of money spent locally stays local. Compare that to only 43% of money spent at national chains, and you begin to see the difference shopping local can make.

When money stays local, it pays wages and business owners, who then purchase goods and services locally - from baked goods to books, hay to hardware, massages to manicures, and photography to fashion.

See the names of sponsors on the back of your kid’s softbabll jersey? Chances are good they’re local businesses.

Local spending also helps foster a sense of community. Non-profits like Amherst County Habitat for Humanity, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Amherst County Public Schools Education Foundation, our local places of worship, and many other organizations, serve a broad slice of our perfect slice. Without local dollars, some would cease to exist.

So when you see #ShopLocal, #ShopSmall, #SmallBusinessSaturday, and #SmallBusinessSeason, remember that those are great places to start, but supporting our community knows no season.