OUR VIEW: Whenever possible, buy locally instead of on Internet

Talk about it

A statistic in one of our sister newspapers got us thinking. The West Central Tribune, of Willmar, Minn. — owned by the same company that owns The Daily Republic — noted in an editorial this week that buying local creates a substantial economic ripple with every dollar that stays in a community.

The newspaper said an effort recently launched in Willmar’s county, called “Buy Local First,” is a worthy effort that deserves consideration across that region. We think it’s a good plan for all communities to consider, especially as they try to stem the tide of dollars that leave a city each year through Internet sales.

The West Central Tribune, in an opinion piece, noted that spending $100 at a locally owned business will keep $68 in that business’ community. Conversely, spending $100 at an out-of-state Internet business keeps $0 within the local economy.

Think about what that local transaction can do for a community. First, it keeps the business and shopping districts healthy. Second, that money comes back to the community in a big way — not only via tax dollars, but also in dollars that local businesses use to bolster charities and nonprofit organizations.

These are great points, and such statistics should get consumers thinking about the impact they have with the future of their own community.

Today, we echo the sentiments of the West Central Tribune and remind consumers to at least think before they make an online purchase that could have just as easily been made in Mitchell.

Tags: opinion, editorial, economy