These economic studies show how shopping with local, independent businesses is not just a nice thing to do, but it is truly one of the best ways to strengthen and sustainably grow our economy. These studies contain the data that shows that through buying locally we can create more jobs and retain more of the wealth of our community right here in Western Massachusetts.

Thinking Outside the Box: A Report on Independent Merchants and the Local Economy in New Orleans released September 2009 http://www.staylocal.org/pdf/info/ThinkingOutsidetheBox_1.pdf

Recent Studies : (Please click on the image below for a larger view.)

This chart above from the Andersonville Study shows that when you spend a $100 at a local business 58% more money on average stays in your community compared to what would have happened if you spent that hundred dollars at a national chain store. To see this great report showing the economic benefits of shopping with locally owned, independent businesses follow this link to the Andersonville Study: www.andersonvillestudy.com/html/reports.html

Click here to see the study for Local Works! from West Michigan.

The chart below shows that if people in West Michigan shopped just 10% more often at local businesses that it would keep an extra 53 million dollars in wages in their community and create over 1,600 new jobs. What would be the effect if we did the same here?

To read about the economic study done in San Francisco in 2007 about the benefits of shopping locally, please go to: http://www.civiceconomics.com/SF/

www.liveablecity.org/lcfullreport.pdf

Another good site for Economic Studies showing the economic benefits of shopping locally:

http://www.livingeconomies.org/netview/resources-and-studies/LFstudies

Favoring Local Businesses in Government Purchasing has Economic Benefits, Study Finds

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission's Plan For Progress

Thanks for thinking Local First and shopping at the great locally owned, independent businesses here in the Pioneer Valley!