In the September issue of Guelph’s monthly publication paper “Business Venture” (website: ventureguelph.ca) there was an article by Heather Grummett, that started on the front page that could have been as much about furniture as it was about food regarding buying local.
Their article talks about shopping locally, which also means built by Canadians and grown in Canada, supporting places that endorse this kind of manufacture. You can’t get any more local than that. This brings me to the “multiplier” effect. …You do not have to completely stop buying from big box stores, but when you can find the same products in a local business, this is where your total investment shows.
“It’s called the ‘multiplier’ effect: a dollar paid in local salaries to purchase local goods and services, provides income to purchase more local goods and services. Local businesses invest in themselves to pay more local people and the cycle continues.”
The article goes on to give an example of the math involved.
“If half of the employed US population chose three locally owned independent businesses they would hate to lose, and spent a combined total of $50 a month to them, it would have a major impact - generate an estimated $42.6 billion of revenue annually.” … Canadian math would be just as “Mind Boggling”
Buying locally is more than just a trend; it makes economic sense. Be diligent and do research, make sure that when you’re buying locally you’re supporting locally all the way up the line. If you think about the youth and their future, now is the time to impact your community and employment and the environment by putting as much thought into all your purchases as you do for the food you consume.
Wondering where you can get locally made furniture? See Wood Wise Furniture and Cabinetry, www.woodwisefurniture.com or visit their studio showroom at 182 Woolwich Street between the “Wooly” (Woolwich Arrow Pub) and Parkers Cleaners.