Shop Huntsville First This Holiday Season
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 December 1, 2011 (Huntsville, AL) -With a hearty "Ho, Ho, Huntsville!" Mayor Tommy Battle is encouraging residents to "buy local" this holiday season. Shopping Huntsville first supports local merchants, provides jobs, and increases tax revenues.
"Buying local means a more robust Huntsville," said Mayor Battle. "Do your shopping homework on the Internet and your purchasing through a local retailer. If the business happens to be locally owned as well, that's even better for our community and for our economy."
Mayor Battle says he is not encouraging shoppers to spend more this holiday season-just to be more conscious about where they spend money already budgeted.
Ten reasons why residents should buy local:
1. Huntsville is unique. Supporting locally owned businesses helps keep our character
2. Local businesses are more philanthropic to area charities
3. Buying local helps keep money local. Huntsville-owned businesses are more likely to purchase their goods from other local merchants
4. Competition and diversity lead to more choice and better pricing
5. Customer service is better when you know the merchant
6. Local businesses provide local jobs
7. Buying local encourages entrepreneurs
8. For every $100 spent locally, $73 stays in the community
9. Buying local increases tax revenues that support better schools and City services
10. Santa shops locally!
City Finance Director Randy Taylor estimates that the five week sales period from Thanksgiving to New Year's will generate about $13 million in sales tax revenues alone. While these increased revenues are appreciated, Taylor also emphasizes that local shopping creates the multiplier effect.
"At the most basic level, buying local means more money stays in the community," said Taylor. "Every dollar spent in Huntsville is returned to our community many times over."
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