I found a few reasons why we should all shop local more often: I found these and a  few more at Shop Local Raleigh – they did their homework

1. Locally-owned firms contribute more to local charities and fundraisers than do their national counterparts.Source: Anderson Study of Retail Economics, Chicago, IL – Oct. 2004
2. Local firms procure local goods and services at more than twice the rate of chains. Source: Anderson Study of Retail Economics, Chicago, IL – Oct. 2004
3. Local merchants spend a much larger portion of total revenue on local labor to run the enterprise and sell the merchandise.Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002
4. Local merchants keep their modest profits in the local economy. Source: AIBA Economic Impact case study – Dec. 2002

Every dollar you spend at an independent, local business, it creates 3.5 times more local economic benefit than dollars spent at a local chain.  Go Local!  -AMIBA