Think about it!

Due to the current, financial conditions both nationally and locally the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce has embarked upon a campaign to encourage local residents to shop at home especially during the holiday season.

When we shop locally, our money is recycled back into the community and pays the salaries of family members, friends, and neighbors. It also goes back in the form of property taxes to help fund the local government and to upgrade needed infrastructure. Local businesses then have money available to contribute to our many worthwhile causes, such as youth league programs, and high school trips.

However, when we spend our payroll dollars in other communities, we are effectively funding better roads, schools, and parks within those communities. Then we wonder why other communities have smooth roads, great schools, and beautiful parks.

Ask yourself, when was the last time your favorite out of town store sponsored a local youth league baseball team, or contributed to a local benefit? They should, because that is where we spend our money. However, they don’t, but our local merchants do.

When we shop at home, we contribute to the success of our own community and not others.

Think about it… think local first.