An Idea Whose Time is Now

Consider this scenario: You're planning to run into the city to pick up some gifts and a few groceries. As usual, you're dreading the prospect of using up precious time and gas to trek to the mall and big stores that offer so little appeal. You'll come home worn out and exhausted, with purchases that are nothing special.

Suddenly, an intriguing idea occurs to you. You'll explore your own town! You head out, beginning with the gift shops along West Main Street. At The Other Ark you find a quilted purse your mother will love. Heading downtown, you park at Sweet Expressions and pick up the greeting cards you're behind in sending out along with some scrumptious chocolates--you just can't resist sampling one! Strolling past Butler Park, you come to the Central Square Emporium where you discover a lovely handmade necklace for your friend, and then you are drawn to the heavenly aroma coming from German John's Bakery. That means a stop for some breakfast pastries and hearty bread to take home for the family. Next, you head away from downtown toward the farm stand where you pick up fresh eggs, just-picked vegetables and some homemade cookies. Your last stop is Gibson Pewter in old historic Hillsborough Center where you select an heirloom quality handcrafted fruit bowl for a special couple's upcoming wedding gift.

As you head towards home, you reflect on the past couple of hours with satisfaction realizing that you have accomplished all your shopping goals, chatted with friends and neighbors along the way, caught up on the local news, met a few new folks and thoroughly enjoyed yourself. You feel a renewed connection to your community and appreciation for the small town way of life. You can't wait to tell your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about this experience and encourage them to follow your lead. You think of all the other goods and services in your community and vow to find out what else is available.

But that's not all! You have made an important contribution to the local economy. By shifting the expenditure of some of your dollars from out-of-town big box stores to local businesses you have contributed to expanded job creation, economic growth, and community revitalization. Moreover, much of the money you have spent locally is likely to stay in your community because local independent business owners are much more likely to keep the money circulating in the local economy. For example, as more money stays in circulation locally a shopkeeper can now afford to employ an accountant, who eventually hires another clerk to manage the increased business, and the artisan can save up to make some renovations, which will require the help of a contractor, who buys lumber and materials for the project. The lumber yard will need another truck and driver for deliveries because business is growing, and the auto dealer who sold the truck will need another technician, and so on. Also, when local businesses are prospering they are able to contribute more to civic projects and fewer tax dollars are needed for such purposes.

The bottom line? Shifting just 10% of an annual budget to expenditures made locally strengthens the local economy and revitalizes communities without using a single taxpayer dollar! "The 10% Shift" is a New England-wide grassroots movement of citizens, businesses, government agencies and nonprofits working to shift 10% or more of our annual budgets from non-local businesses to locally owned and independent businesses. The 10% shift is a modest but important change that will keep a larger share of dollars in our region, create new jobs and spur a fundamental transformation of our local and New England economy. The Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce encourages you to buy locally and to learn more about the 10% shift. It's good for you and your community.