The Port of Columbia has been working very closely with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce on a county-wide Shop Local campaign. Initially, data was gathered to determine “retail leakage” (i.e. money spent outside of our local market).
Would you be surprised to know that per capita retail spending in Columbia County is 45% lower than Walla Walla County, 54% lower than Franklin County, 59% lower than Asotin County and 67% lower than Benton County?
Currently, a shopping survey is in circulation to determine the shopping habits of Columbia County residents. If you haven’t completed the survey, please click here for a link to the online version. Your input is invaluable. So far, over 200 people have completed the survey and the information gathered has been very informative.
Over the summer, with the assistance of a third party company, the Chamber and other partners created and conducted a tourism survey. The response of current and past tourists was overwhelming and the data has been collected and organized. Visit historicdayton.com for more info.
All of the information gathered from the regional economist and surveys will be used to determine how we market our community internally and externally. The first push will focus on community awareness, sharing the current economic situation, spotlighting our community’s special businesses and encouraging our residents to consider where and how they purchase.
On Small Business Saturday, November 26th, Choose Columbia County window decals and reusable shopping bags were distributed to a number of Columbia County businesses. There are plans for 2018-19 to offer workshops to local businesses on how they can work independently and collaboratively in an attempt to compete with Big Box stores and online shopping.
When you see someone carrying their red, reusable “Choose Columbia County – Shop Local” shopping bag, thank them for shopping locally. When you see a “Choose Columbia County – Shop Local” window decal, step inside and invest in our community.
WHY SHOP LOCAL?
1. Buy Local – Support yourself – Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business versus a nationally-owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. This continues to strengthen the economic base of the community. The increased tax base supports the local infrastructure and services.
2. Support Community Groups – Non-profit organizations receive on average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. The more you support small businesses, the more you support our community groups.
3. Keep our Community Unique – Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. More Consumer Choices – Locally owned businesses order their products based on customer need and demand verses a corporate sales plan. The more you purchase from them locally, the better the selection they are able to consistently offer.
5. Create more good jobs – Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get Better Service – Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest In Community – Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future. They are neighbors, parents, grandparents, Kiwanis or Lions Club members, school volunteers, etc.
8. Put Your Taxes To Good Use – Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally- owned stores entering the community.
9. Reduce Environmental Impact – Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation, and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe, contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution. In addition, there is considerable fuel saved with less driving to other destinations to shop.
10. Encourage Local Prosperity – A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.