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Buy Local & Boost The North Country Economy

Story Published: Dec 13, 2012 at 7:07 PM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 13, 2012 at 7:07 PM EDT

St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Pat McKeown says there is a lot at stake if people choose to take their holiday shopping dollars outside the area.
 
McKeown says local residents need to spend their money locally.

She says items like the 2013 Birds of St. Lawrence County calendar with stunning pictures of various species by Russell wildlife photographer George Grant are a perfect example.

Buying local goods at locally-owned shops or stores can mean thousands of dollars for a community.

Doing so, she says, not only enhances jobs and salaries, but helps fuel sales tax revenues.
 
"It's important to support the local merchants. Local merchants have their revenue go into the county coffers. County coffers will swell then. That will mean fewer taxes for all of us," said McKeown.
 
From maple syrup to note cards in support of the Morley Library, shopping local is important.
 
Already facing challenging economic times, small business owners like Marilyn Mintener are hoping for a strong holiday shopping season.
 
"We can't possibly compete with the big box stores so we hope that we can offer something different," said Mintener.
 
Officials say by shifting just 10 percent of purchases to local merchants would keep thousands of dollars in the local economy - money that often leaves the area to be spent elsewhere.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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