There’s lots of talk about “buying local” and supporting “local businesses”. But why? What does it mean to us Everyday Joe’s that are just wanting to get the most for our dollar, a quality product, a quality experience?

In the Colorado moving business, being local and independent enables Exodus to control the factors that make for a worry-free home or office move. Not being a big corporation or franchise, we control aspects such as:
- the screening and hiring of move experts
- our standards for customer service
- we don’t subcontract labor. All of our drivers are full-time professional movers, not owner operators that hire their own labor.
- offer value-added services like free recycled boxes, no deposit or contracts to reserve your move date, discounted cleaning services, custom crating, partnerships and coupons with other local businesses.
- Exodus has people that you will know and know you by name, that has the expertise to eliminate the stress from your first phone call… to the very last box you unpack. We don’t send you to an 800 number when you need help.
- Most importantly, we are able to be flexible to meet our customers needs.

There’s a good reason to shop local businesses.
In fact there are TEN (probably more, but here are 10 for your reading pleasure).
1. Keep Money in the Community –
Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned businesses. This multiplier is due in part to locally owned businesses purchasing more often from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back).
2. Support Community Groups –
Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller locally-owned business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Keep Our Community Unique –
Where we shop, where we eat and have fun—all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce Enviromental Impact –
Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create More Jobs –
Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get Better Service –
Businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in Community -
Businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. Put Your Taxes to Good Use -
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy What You Want Not What Someone Wants You To –
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage Local Prosperity –
A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

All around supporting local businesses makes Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and all of Northern Colorado a stronger, fresher, and a more dynamic place to live for our famililes. By focusing on buying local products and services, we are helping to decrease the impact on the enviroment from typical transporting of goods. So, buy and support local businesses, entreprenuers, farmers, services and help NoCo thrive!

List source: Visit http://www.43things.com/entries/view/330845 for the original article.