Money Spent Locally Stays Local

Many studies have shown that money spent in local business stays in the community. For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $45 – $68 goes back into the community and our tax base.

Local Owners Contribute More Locally

Businesses directly inject money into the local economy through wages and benefits to local residents, who in turn spend and invest these funds in our local economy. When local businesses hire and procure locally, the economy and community benefits, plus local entrepreneurs and employees are more likely to contribute to causes that impact them close to home.

Lower Environmental Impact

Building awareness about the benefits of buying and hiring locally means more dollars spent close-by and fewer miles traveled on our region’s roads and freeways. For urban, suburban or rural areas alike, “thinking local first” means a virtuous circle of support between businesses, residents, and government best suited to each local community in San Diego.

Thinking Local Strengthens Community Involvement

Local business owners and others committed to their home town are much more likely to make their voice heard within the local government. The great American tradition of involvement in the important decisions made by our elected representatives is a classic example of thinking local.

Thinking Local Encourages Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In today’s rapidly changing globalized economy, communities in San Diego face challenges on every front. Thinking locally ties in with the North San Diego Business Chamber’s vision for a thriving, diverse economy in San Diego County where creative people dream up and implement great ideas, where opportunities abound, and where people of all ages and backgrounds contribute to and enjoy a high quality of life.

Strategies

The Think Local First San Diego Initiative is pioneering a regional approach to supporting our region’s unique communities, each of which has so much to offer.

With strong support from the business leaders within the Chamber, numerous elected officials, and residents we are all about creating ripple effects of opportunity at all levels and in all corners of our region.

The monthly meetings of the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee enable members to help the Chamber team carry out marketing, PR, outreach, research, visioning and building new partnerships.

This website and increasingly frequent email blasts, media appearances, targeted presentations, social media and special projects enable us to encourage more San Diegans to Think Local First.

Interested? Join us!