Give gift of local support

Listening to the national news this week I was encouraged to hear retail sales are up this year.

Its been a long time coming. But what does this mean for us locally? Are the numbers on the rise for retailers here?

The national trend translating here remains to be seen and mostly depends upon you. Where are you spending your money this year? During this holiday season please remember to shop local.

Did you know local businesses on average return about 80 percent of every dollar received back to the community (according to the American Independent Business Alliance). The alliance also says every dollar spent locally returns five times that amount through municipal taxes, employee wages and the purchase of materials, supplies and services from other local businesses.

Lets put that into real numbers that mean something.

There are approximately 20,000 people in Polk County. If each of you spends just $20 in the county that would amount to $400,000 spent with local shop owners.

Then, if we multiply the $400,000 by five times the return to the local community, we could see a boost of $2,000,000 this holiday season alone.

Most of us will spend quite a bit more than $20 on gifts this year, the question is, how much of that spending has come home to help your fellow neighbor and community?

Support your neighbors by shopping at their stores, eating at their restaurants and using their services. Our local businesses are vital to the community, and we need to support them to keep them around. You can do your part this holiday season and all year round by shopping local.

Betty Ramsey is the publisher of the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Her email address is betty.ramsey@tryondailybulletin.com

SportsPlus

News

Polk continues working toward wildfire containment

Community

Saluda Pantry returns to Carolina Ave. location 

Community

Over 500 Free Tree Seedlings distributed in Polk County for Arbor Day

Community

Polk Referral Center connecting community with resources

Community

Tryon Presbyterian to hold Easter Egg Hunt on April 12

Community

Jake Johnson to Speak at Henderson County Republican Men’s Club

Community

Tryon celebrates laughter and community at April Fools’ Celebration 

Community

AdventHealth Polk Surgical Excellence Campaign fulfilled

Community

March 31 update on Black Cove Complex wildfires

Community

March 29 Black Cove Complex Wildfire update

Community

March 28 evening update on Black Cove Complex

Community

Progress made on wildfires, but challenges persist

Community

Bright’s Creek to host Derby Day Party benefitting Guiding Reins

Community

Go Fly a Kite Day at FENCE rescheduled for April 6

Community

What does “containment” mean?

News

BASEBALL: Fagan’s complete game helps Wolverines trample Cougars

Community

March 28 morning update on Black Cove Complex

Community

March 27 evening update on Black Cove Complex

Business

END OF AN ERA: Christy Warren to retire after decades of service at Tryon Post Office

News

Evacuation update

News

March 27 morning update on Black Cove Complex fires in Polk, Henderson counties

Community

March 26 evening update on Black Cove Complex fires in Polk, Henderson counties

Community

Governor Stein issues State of Emergency amid growing wildfires

News

Evacuation area update