The Power of Buying Local

A recent Bioneer's podcast was devoted to the power of buying local. They reviewd the impact on the local economy of the locally owned bookstore vs. a Borders. The message was -- shoop at the locally owned shops if you want to keep the $$' sin the local economy.

Some of the factors that ensure our dollars stay within our Bernal neighborhood:

• Do the staff own, rent, and live in the neighborhood
• Are services sourced from within the 'hood. This can range from accountants and layers to cleaners and security service.
• Are the inputs sourced as locally as possible. This may include ingredients for a restaurant, furnishing, fixtures, art as well as the goods for resale.

Why should we care?

• Localy owned shops are tied more to a community than to a distant gruop of shareholders.
• A strong network of people with economic ties to the community increases safety and quality of life.
• A shared sense of purpose -- social, economic, and environmental - creates stronger, more enjoyable neighborhoods.
• Buying local has a positive impact on the environment by reducing the impact of importing people and goods
• Buying local forces the local labor pool to increase skills which creates a stronger, more dynamic base for handing any future adversity.

We're fortunate in that we have a thriving set of local shops on Cortland. I've found that this awareness has made a difference in the way I shop. Without going to the extreme, I'm trying to do the little things like opting for a Bernal restaurant or buying my java at Martha's instead of a stoip closer to work. OK, the fact that I may not make it to work without the aid of Martha's injection is another point.... Thanks for listening.