Support Local | 6 Reasons Small Towns Need More Local Support During COVID-19

Over the past 10 years, it has become more and more common for people to leave their 9-5 and take a chance on opening up their own small business. It’s a huge risk to take and there is never a guarantee for these brave people who take a chance. In a small town, it’s important to support local for so many reasons, but lately, it’s been more important than ever. The world was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic and it took us all by surprise. One day life was normal, the next everyone was being sent home and stores were being told by the government they had to shut their doors until further notice. It’s a scary thing for everyone to experience, but especially small business owners. 

They’ve given their heart, soul, time and money into building a little empire and it’s all of a sudden being shut down. 

So why is it so important to continue supporting the “little guys” during COVID-19? 

Local businesses invest in their communities

When the Scouts, local schools, churches, charities and hockey teams start their fundraising each year, their biggest supporters are always the small, local businesses in the community. Whether it’s donating a prize to a silent auction or giving a cash donation to a good cause, local business owners are more than pleased to contribute to their fellow businesses and organizations. But if they go under because of a lack of support during a pandemic, how can they continue their generosity in years to come? 

Local businesses provide new jobs

With each new business that opens comes new jobs in the community. By supporting local and buying in the small stores even during COVID-19, you are giving them not only the opportunity to be successful but also the opportunity to grow. When sales are good, businesses can then afford to hire more employees. This brings jobs to local families that may have otherwise not been available. It also means that more people can work closer to home which cuts down on commuting and pollution. Are people hiring at this exact moment? No. Not for the most part anyways, but if they survive the pandemic will they need new people after? Probably. If we work to help keep these businesses alive, then it leaves job opportunities available after the pandemic for people who may have permanently been let go from somewhere else. 

The local economy thrives

When you purchase items or services from a locally owned business instead of a nationally owned one, you are keeping more money in your community. The big box stores will survive a time like this and won’t be shut down for good by COVID-19. But the same cannot be said for so many small businesses. When a local business is supported by the community members, they continue to purchase from other local suppliers, farmers and service providers. This allows more local places to thrive and the local tax base to grow. The small businesses in the Lakeland have had a great response to this trying time and have switched up how they do business, so there is no reason not to continue supporting them. They are offering contactless delivery, online shopping, pick up, gift certificates to be used later and more. 

You are helping fellow community members

We live in a time where most families are dual income. Many people do not have the choice anymore to stay home and raise families because they can’t survive without a second source of income. Oftentimes, a small local business is being run by a new parent or someone who would otherwise be struggling. These are the places supporting kids sports and other community organizations, so by returning the favour and supporting locals, you are helping someone in your town provide for their family. By using the new options like online shopping or contactless delivery, you continue to support the people in your community during a time of uncertainty. If you’re going to order take out anyways, why not get it from the little cafe down the road instead of the big chain french fry place? 

You know the people behind the products or service

When you support local, you know that the owners stand behind each product they sell or service they offer. In a big box store, it’s not really possible for one owner or employee to know about everything they sell, but this is not the case for a small business. Small business owners typically search to find the best of each of their products and stand behind their quality and often find other local sources. If we are talking about a local restaurant, then you know the food is prepared in the proper environment and is coming from good suppliers or local farms. You can put your mind at ease knowing that these small places are putting safe practises in place during COVID-19. They also don’t have a staff of 40 people working, putting everyone at higher risk, it’s probably just one or two people working to serve you. 

Local businesses keep our communities unique

A community full of one-of-a-kind businesses makes it a more unique and desirable place to live. A city full of large chain stores starts to look all the same and they have no character. Not to mention many of them are lacking trees and landscaping due to the large cleared area required to build them. Smaller towns and cities with an abundance of local businesses have a homier feel, nicer streets and more attractive storefronts. Store owners often spruce up their building or window displays for each season and keep the streets cleaner. The beauty of a street lined with shop fronts is worth saving. We don’t want to drive down main street to see boarded up windows in the stores that closed…do you? 

Did you know that the look of a town plays a factor in new people moving there? Small towns that have aesthetically pleasing streets and stores are more desirable to people who are looking to relocate. Nice looking town = more people moving here = more residents to support the local businesses. 
It’s so important to support local all the time, but it’s crucial during something as scary as COVID-19. As business owners in small towns, we truly appreciate and understand the need for more local shopping and support. At CENTURY 21, we have put safe social distancing plans in place so we can continue to support you selling or buying your home. It’s important for us to continue to serve our clients and our community but your health and our health is equally as important.

If COVID-19 has forced you to change plans, we are here for you. If you are ready to buy your first home because the market is finally affordable for you, we can help. If you have to relocate because of a job loss, we can help with that too. Our whole team is always there for you, so reach out to our team members today and we’ll help you through this challenging time.