This week has been designated by the Small Business Administration as National Small Business Week. One area group hopes shoppers consider local options first.
Kay Hatch owns the Imaginuity specialty toy stores in Minocqua and Rhinelander. She is also part of the Mincoqua Island Business Association. She says supporting local businesses keeps your community strong...
"....When you support local businesses you keep more money in your local economy. You celebrate the uniqueness of your community and you support local jobs. You're also helping the environment and you conserve your tax dollars..."
Hatch says with the growth of large corporations, the vibrancy of a local community could be lost...
"..There's a challenge small businesses face competing with Amazon and having things delivered to their door. At local stores, your more likely to discover something new. Compared to online, independent retailers create twice as many jobs for the same amount of revenue. People have stronger social ties and tend to participate more in civic affairs when they're involved in their local independent businesses...."
Kay Hatch says a customer benefits from expertise provided locally. Local retailers hire local people, pay local taxes, and source goods locally Small businesses create 2 out of every 3 net new jobs in the private sector. More than half of the workforce either works for or owns a small business. There are more than 30 million small business owners in the nation.
