Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The 3/50 Project

Okay, so as a person who works in an independent business I am a little biased, but whatever, this is a good topic to have a bias.  The 3/50 Project was created by Cinda Baxter.  This project was designed to help locally owned brick and mortar business.  I know that the media is saying all sorts of things about not spending any money and saving all that you can because times are so hard.  I know that there are a lot of people out there that scared they are going to lose their jobs, we understand completely.  BUT, what the 3/50 Projects suggests is a little way to help the economy.   Spending money anywhere at this point can only help business.  Baxter gives us a way to localize where this spent money ends up.  Pick 3 business that are independently owned that you really like and would hate to see gone.  Then spend $50 a month in those business (not $50 in each store but $50 all together.)  This is not very difficult at all.  Did you know that 68% of what you spend at an independent business goes back into the community when only 43% spent at a chain comes back.  The dollars you spend locally go a lot further than the one spent else where.  So, where can you go to support these business?  There are plenty of local grocers, merchants, restauranteurs, movie theaters, all over your community.  If you are unsure of it's ownership, just ask.  Do you think $50 is a lot to spend?  Just do what you can, remember, that 68% goes back to the community.  So instead of going to a coffee shop chain for your morning beverage try a local shop or bistro.  Go to lunch at a downtown deli and get groceries from a local grocer.  Pick up something small that makes you smile at a local gift store (like LoPressionism Gallery ;).  According to Baxter's research, if just half of the working community did this they would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.  What have you got to lose by trying it?  We CAN pull up the economy but we need people to help.  Every little bit counts!

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