The Guilford County Board of Commissioners is chock full of Democrats who despise past and future president Donald Trump; however, there is a sort of agreement on at least one issue – the value of buying local.
While Donald Trump wants people to buy American-made goods (and will use tariffs to make that happen), in the same vein, the Guilford County commissioners want you to buy locally produced goods whenever you can – especially during the upcoming holiday season.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, the Board of Commissioners will pass a resolution that celebrates and supports local businesses and the way they contribute to the area’s economy and community.
The resolution, which will be presented by Commissioner Frankie Jones, states that, according to the United States Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy’s 2023 Small Business Profile, North Carolina is home to roughly a million small businesses.
Surprisingly, that represents nearly all – about 99.6 percent – of the total businesses in the state. Small local businesses employ around 1.8 million people in the private sector. That’s roughly 45 percent of North Carolina’s entire workforce.
According to the US Census’ Statistics of US Businesses For 2022, there are over 18,000 of these small businesses in Guilford County alone.
The non-profit agency Triad Local First is an entity that educates – and advocates for – citizens investing in the local economy. It offers networking experiences and other opportunities for local business owners and farmers – as well as for supporters of the “buy local” movement.
According to the resolution that the commissioners will pass Thursday night, area businesses generate 70 percent more local economic activity per square foot than
big box retail stores do, and these small businesses also donate 250 percent more to the community when compared to big businesses.
The resolution the board will adopt reads, “Whereas, citizens of and visitors to Guilford County can rest assured that their support of the ‘Buy Local Season’ initiative will create jobs, boost the local economy and provide other essential resources needed for these small businesses to grow, expand and thrive.”
“Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved,” the resolution adds, “that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners proclaims November 15 through December 31, 2024, as ‘Buy Local Season’ and encourages citizens to continue supporting small businesses and merchants throughout the year, especially during this holiday season.”
The purpose of the resolution is in part to create more jobs in the county, and to help local businesses get the money and resources they need “to grow, expand and thrive.”
Shopping at locally owned and operated stores is always a good idea. The money spent stays circulating in the local economy.
I would agree with you to some extent many, many, many moons ago. Unless 85-90% of the products are LOCALLY produced, the money doesn’t stay here long.
We buy local when we can, especially avoiding chain restaurants and fast food. But it is hard when you see a drugstore item @$15, but $9 on Amazon. I guess the economy of scale applies everywhere.
Wally World is not the place to shop, anymore. I’m sure many of you who actually look at prices know. One item I purchased @Aldi was $3.59, the very same item at little Wally was $6.97. If you compare a lot of Wally’s prices, you feel like you are being hunted. They are catering to people who don’t know any better; there must be a lot of them.
I think most people would like to support local businesses but many times can’t afford to.
Yes, this is a very good point I think.
After my property taxes went up 25% I can’t afford to shop at all.
This is from the same group of mental patients that made small businesses across the county shut down but allowed the big box stores and national chains to remain open.
* in 2020
Not to mention state run liquor stores.
The commissioners raped me with high taxes which are used for their pet projects. I don’t need nor require their help or advise on where I will shop.
Let’s all go to Havana Phil’s and smoke a cigar locally with our cowboy sheriff
have they passed any resolution advising people to brush their teeth & change their underwear ? better get on it !
I just had a shower, so I won’t need underwear for at least 2-3 days.
How quickly we forget that this is the same Board of Commissioners that just a few days ago agreed to spend $1,000,000 for the purpose of auditing every small business in Guilford County in an attempt to squeeze a few more property tax dollars out of them.
“The resolution’s purpose is in part to create more jobs in the county, and to help local businesses get the money and resources they need “to grow, expand and thrive”” now appears extremely hollow to me.
The auditors work for private companies who contributed to the elections of dimocrats. See how this works?