Grand Junction is home to many innovative and unique businesses recognized for their outstanding achievements in their industries. Having a community of businesses all striving to be unique, community-oriented, innovative, and resourceful results in a healthy commerce climate and well served, happy customers. The Grand Junction Chamber recognizes the importance of small, local businesses and we continue to be an ambassador for the shop local season and encourage residents to support our local, small businesses.
In communities all over the country the size of Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and smaller, business people consistently talk about shopping local, supporting local businesses and keeping money in the local economy. While small businesses generate new jobs and, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), “employ more than half of the working class in the United States,” they are also an extremely valuable asset to the local community.
Small business owners and their employees are everywhere – they are family, friends, and neighbors. You will find amazingly unselfish and humble individuals throughout our business community who dedicate their time and efforts to helping the economy flourish year by year. Our local companies and individuals choose to embrace the business development mission and promote economic growth daily, not just during this season.
Throughout any season, it is important to shop locally and support small businesses. The reason is simple.
- Every dollar spent locally has the impact of three dollars on the local economy
- For every $100 you spend locally $68 will remain in the community as compared to $14 at a major chain outlet
- Small businesses are job creators and when you shop with them you help create more jobs for firefighters, police officers and other essential professions
- Small businesses have been shown to donate up to four times more than large chain stores to community nonprofits including little league, United Way and much more
- Small businesses offer unique products and outstanding customer service
Don’t know what to get that special someone for Christmas? You can also purchase gift cards for local services, restaurants, experiences, and more! There is a wide range of options from perennial favorite Enstrom Candies to painting kits from the Palette.
Don’t forget, you can also support local by “getting social”. Like the page of your favorite businesses, share photos and leave comments on their posts, and don’t forget to leave a review!
Time after time, the continuous support our local community members provide to our Grand Valley businesses is astounding. We understand the ease of ordering goods online and the simplicity of shopping at large corporations, but the value of supporting and shopping local is more than ease – it’s our livelihood.
We urge you to shop locally and shop small every day of the year but most especially during this holiday season.
