Shopping Smart With Locally Owned Businesses Shop Smart Shop Local Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community. Environmental Sustainability Local Character and Prosperity In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile economic advantage Community Well-Being Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the social relationships, and contributing to local causes Local Decision-Making Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally Public Benefits and Costs by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts Local stores in town centers require comparatively little of those decisions. use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution. Product Diversity needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product and service choices infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls Thank you for suppenting all of our local businesses. This ad co-sponsored by the City of Dixon & Sauk Valley Media Locally owned businesses help establish and sustain a sense of community Locally owned businesses sponsor community teams, donate to benefits and support fundraisers. Locally owned businesses create diverse opportunities of employment.