The following is a message from NFIB’s State Director in Pennsylvania, Gordon Denlinger:
As Thanksgiving is just about here and the Christmas shopping season is already underway, NFIB in Pennsylvania is actively spreading the word that buying local means standing with our communities in this time of challenge. Truly, we are all in this together! Shopping local means standing with our Mom and Pop shops and small businesses all across the state.
One point of emphasis NFIB is making is that worries over health issues should not keep shoppers from considering local options. Beyond following health protocols at their businesses, an amazingly high percentage of NFIB’s members have taken steps to develop their own online portals and delivery options to keep customers safe. Instead of immediately going to the major online retail platforms, it’s essential that we all consider those stores that are just around the corner, and search for their websites, or simply give them a call!
Consider one good reason why keeping holiday shopping local makes a difference. Research shows that each dollar spent creates another 50 cents of local business activity as a result of employee spending and a business purchasing local goods. Shopping locally could very well keep a friend on employed, or a fellow store owner in business.
Sometimes the biggest challenge is to simply alter our online habits and keep the words BUY LOCAL in our mind and perhaps taped to the screens on our desktop computers. As you can see, we must make the extra effort simply due to the economic impact that buying local brings.
Right now Pennsylvania is in a second-stage COVID-19 surge, but there is good news to consider. Vaccines are nearing completion and should be widely available soon. The key in the interim is that we make economic choices that keep small businesses going until we get past the virus because they are a significant economic force and employ about half of the state’s workforce.
NFIB is here to support small businesses in every way. So, from your NFIB of PA team, we wish you a very successful holiday season, good health, and better news in the year to come!
