Supporting local economies is more important than ever in today’s globalized world. The BackingAmericaNow movement aims to strengthen national and local economies by encouraging individuals to prioritize local businesses, products, and services. This article will explore the meaning and significance of BackingAmericaNow, and provide actionable tips to contribute to this cause.
What is the BackingAmericaNow Movement?
BackingAmericaNow is a growing movement that urges community members to invest in local enterprises, creators, and service providers. The central mission is to bolster local economic development, foster job growth, and build more connected, resilient communities nationwide.
By making mindful choices to engage with and purchase from neighborhood businesses instead of large national chains or online retailers, proponents of this movement hope to keep money circulating locally. Over time, the compounded impact of residents supporting local ventures leads to emerging small businesses, lower unemployment rates, and communities that can weather economic downturns.
Why Should You Support Your Local Economy?
Here are some of the key reasons why boosting local economies BackingAmericaNow is so important:
- Strengthens communities – Small businesses are pillars of local communities. Supporting them yields more unified, thriving communities.
- Creates local jobs – Small, local businesses create more jobs in a community than national chains. This gives residents a stake in the local economy.
- Drives innovation – Local businesses help communities stay innovative and competitive by introducing new products, services, and business concepts.
- Supports local causes – Local business owners contribute more to local charities and community initiatives compared to non-locally owned businesses.
- Reduces environmental impact – Buying local products minimizes transportation pollution from cross-country shipping.
- Boosts local pride – Local establishments give neighborhoods a sense of identity. Residents feel pride in the businesses that represent the uniqueness of their community.
- Creates opportunity – A strong local economy enables more entrepreneurs to get small businesses off the ground and creates economic mobility.
10 Ways You Can Join the BackingAmericaNow Movement
Ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to building a robust local economy? Here are 10 impactful actions anyone can take:
1. Shop at Local Retailers and Eateries for BackingAmericaNow
Seek out locally-owned retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, and other storefronts in your community. Make an effort to do everyday shopping for goods and meals with small businesses in your neighborhood first.
Even big purchases like furniture, jewelry, and cars can often be found at specialized local stores. The extra dollars you spend locally get reinvested in the community to support more jobs and growth.
2. Use Local Services for BackingAmericaNow
Patronize local accountants, dentists, veterinarians, plumbers, banks, insurance agencies, and other service providers. These skilled professionals live in your community and rely on its residents for business.
Service businesses recirculate money locally at higher rates than product-based businesses. For professional services requiring specialized skills like healthcare, using local providers gives you access to top talent who understand the community’s needs.
3. Attend Community Events
BackingAmericaNow keeps up to date on festivals, concerts, craft fairs, farmers’ markets, and other community happenings. These events showcase local talent while bringing residents together. Money spent on entrance fees, food trucks, and items from vendors goes directly back into the local economy.
4. Hire Local Contractors
When you need home renovations, landscaping work, or other residential and commercial services, look to hire companies based in your city or county first. Established local contractors invest in the community and provide good local jobs.
5. Invest Locally
BackingAmericaNow is Putting your investment dollars into local institutions, businesses, and development projects. Support local crowdfunding campaigns, buy municipal bonds, or invest in a local business initiative you believe in.
Look towards credit unions, community banks, and loan funds that provide capital within your region for opportunities.
6. Advocate for Local Policies
Use your voice to advocate for policies and incentives that benefit small, local businesses and foster entrepreneurship. Attend town meetings to stay informed on issues impacting local economies. Write to state and local representatives urging them to back policies that strengthen communities.
7. Buy Local Products
BackingAmericaNow is Seeking out locally produced goods and artisanal products made in your community and region. Farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and mom-and-pop shops offer unique local wares you won’t find in national chains.
Food and beverages made from regional ingredients, like honey, preserve the heritage and flavor of your area while reducing environmental impact. When you know who grew, crafted, and processed your purchases, you can feel good about supporting small producers.
8. Promote Tourism
Being a proud ambassador for your town or city helps create bustling local tourism. Chat up your hometown when traveling and encourage friends and family to visit the unique attractions, small inns, eateries, parks, and museums that make your community special.
More tourism dollars flow to local businesses compared to national hotel and restaurant chains. The tourism sector employs many residents, especially younger workers, giving them valuable skills.
9. Volunteer
BackingAmericaNow is Donating your time and skills to local nonprofits and community initiatives. Helping out on local projects forges connections and shows you’re invested in your community’s future.
Nonprofits rely on engaged residents to keep services and programming running. You’ll gain meaningful experiences and relationships while working towards community prosperity.
Also Read: EMPOWER YOUR CAREER CHANGE IN YOUR 30S, 40S, OR 50S
10. Spread the Word
Talk up the “buy local” mindset among family and friends. Word of mouth is powerful for swaying consumer behavior. Highlight specific local businesses you want others to check out.
Post on social media about your neighborhood gems. Write reviews of beloved community eateries and gift shops. The more the message spreads, the more consumers will shift spending into the local economy.
The Bottom Line for BackingAmericaNow
Supporting local economies across America bolsters communities from the ground up. The BackingAmericaNow movement recognizes the collective power that everyday consumer choices wield. With individuals working together to keep dollars circulating locally, hometowns from coast to coast can grow into beacons of innovation, prosperity, and community values.
What will you do today to back America now? Every cup of coffee, repair job, and locally made purchase makes a difference. Use your consumer power to invest in your community for the future. Together, our small actions can build up America, one hometown at a time.
FAQs for BackingAmericaNow
Q: How much more does shopping at small businesses impact my local economy?
A: Shopping at local businesses creates a ripple effect in the community. For every $100 spent at a small or local business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 spent at national chains.
Q: Is buying locally worth it if the prices are higher?
A: Paying a little more to support small businesses that hire local workers and use regional suppliers gives back in unseen ways. Thriving local economies raise housing values and improve local infrastructure and services.
Q: How does using local services boost my community?
A: Service providers employ local administrative and support staff beyond the primary skilled roles. The multiplier effect spreads the benefits. Local professionals also better understand the community’s needs.
Q: What’s the impact of buying locally-made food and goods?
A: Locally produced food and artisanal goods keep money circulating in the local economy and support small producers. It also preserves the heritage and unique flavor of the community.
Q: How can I find locally owned businesses to support?
A: Check your local newspaper, community bulletin boards, and websites highlighting hometown businesses. Many towns now have dedicated “buy local” directories.
Q: Should I always choose independent retailers over national chains?
A: Frequent local businesses as your first choice when possible. However, national chains do provide local jobs and are sometimes the only option available. Find the right balance for you.
Q: What are easy ways to spread the buy local message?
A: Talk up hometown businesses you love and encourage friends to check them out. Post reviews and photos of local spots on social media. Every personal recommendation helps drive local spending.
