Part of the community
Those of you who have spent a little time with us know that Ann and I are big supporters of independent businesses. In an era of economic dislocation, outsourcing, and amoral financial markets, the independent business is the economic hope for this region.
During the election campaign, Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of HHS, swooped down on SE Indiana to tout the virtues of our presumptive Member of Congress, Mike Sodrel. Thompson lauded Sodrel for "supporting over 500 families" with his trucking business.
I first dipped my toes into the local swamp of opinion journalism when I read of Thompson's comments, although the Tribune did not see fit to publish my brief letter. No matter your partisan leanings, that kind of economic triumphalism has no place in the discussion. In fact, a strong case can be made that "500 families" support Mike Sodrel.
In my view, Thompson, and by inference, Sodrel, just doesn't get it. Supporting independent businesses is not an exercise in altruism. Running one is not a ministry. No one is asking you to support independent businesses to your own detriment. Buying locally is not an act of charity. It is objectively a net benefit to you and to the larger community.
A recent study by Civic Economics of the Andersonville, Illinois business community surveyed the economic impact of locally owned business vs. chain stores. This rigorous examination revealed that independent local businesses returned 70% more in positive economic impacts to the community when compared to chains. A tiny portion of that reflected the salaries of local managers. But the study showed that local merchants' expenditures tended to be in purchases from other local firms. It also showed that local merchants were significantly more likely to support community affairs through charitable donations and support of local projects.
70% is a pretty big number and the results of the study match those of previous studies across the nation. Consider the alternative. A downtown business district plagued by vacancies. A drop in median income toward the poverty level as conglomerates engage in a race to the bottom by dropping benefits and hourly wages.
Which brings me to the supreme hypocrisy of the Courier-Journal's new ShopLocal campaign. What on God's green earth is local about it? The print edition of the paper presents it as journalism, but there's no discussion of WHY one should shop locally. The quote Ann read to me, "It's not as crowded," reflects a dereliction of duty on the part of a free press. And nothing about the campaign seems to acknowledge the significant community benefits that come from patronizing independent businesses.
If the C-J wants to expose the hollowness of what a friend calls monoculture, they have a great opportunity. But then, might not their advertisers be offended?
For another take on this subject, I recommend you take a look at this fellow blogger's musings:
http://cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com
During the election campaign, Tommy Thompson, the Secretary of HHS, swooped down on SE Indiana to tout the virtues of our presumptive Member of Congress, Mike Sodrel. Thompson lauded Sodrel for "supporting over 500 families" with his trucking business.
I first dipped my toes into the local swamp of opinion journalism when I read of Thompson's comments, although the Tribune did not see fit to publish my brief letter. No matter your partisan leanings, that kind of economic triumphalism has no place in the discussion. In fact, a strong case can be made that "500 families" support Mike Sodrel.
In my view, Thompson, and by inference, Sodrel, just doesn't get it. Supporting independent businesses is not an exercise in altruism. Running one is not a ministry. No one is asking you to support independent businesses to your own detriment. Buying locally is not an act of charity. It is objectively a net benefit to you and to the larger community.
A recent study by Civic Economics of the Andersonville, Illinois business community surveyed the economic impact of locally owned business vs. chain stores. This rigorous examination revealed that independent local businesses returned 70% more in positive economic impacts to the community when compared to chains. A tiny portion of that reflected the salaries of local managers. But the study showed that local merchants' expenditures tended to be in purchases from other local firms. It also showed that local merchants were significantly more likely to support community affairs through charitable donations and support of local projects.
70% is a pretty big number and the results of the study match those of previous studies across the nation. Consider the alternative. A downtown business district plagued by vacancies. A drop in median income toward the poverty level as conglomerates engage in a race to the bottom by dropping benefits and hourly wages.
Which brings me to the supreme hypocrisy of the Courier-Journal's new ShopLocal campaign. What on God's green earth is local about it? The print edition of the paper presents it as journalism, but there's no discussion of WHY one should shop locally. The quote Ann read to me, "It's not as crowded," reflects a dereliction of duty on the part of a free press. And nothing about the campaign seems to acknowledge the significant community benefits that come from patronizing independent businesses.
If the C-J wants to expose the hollowness of what a friend calls monoculture, they have a great opportunity. But then, might not their advertisers be offended?
For another take on this subject, I recommend you take a look at this fellow blogger's musings:
http://cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com
posted by All4Word at 9:37 AM
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