When鈥檚 the last time Amazon sponsored the baseball uniforms of 91原创 children? Has anyone heard of retailers from south of the border ponying up funds for the local hospital?

The ability for area businesses to provide support to the 91原创s through such things as charity donations, sports equipment, sponsorship of events, and more is part and parcel of being part of a community that shops local, commented Jack Nicholson, past president of the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce.

The local business organization encourages people to support their local businesses for several reasons. Nicholson said people may not understand the circular relationship between shopping local and key factors such as employment levels, taxation, and the sense of community.

鈥淚t helps pay for some of those taxes, keeping people鈥檚 tax rates lower. Those businesses are contributing money in wages,鈥� he said.

First and foremost, having a healthy local business sector means local employment and those people help funds circulate through the local economy.

As well, local businesses provide more than just goods and services. They help their community, whether that鈥檚 sponsoring fundraisers, donating directly to causes and events, or giving staff support to take part in charity initiatives.

鈥淵es, you might pay a few cents more than what you might find it online for but what are those companies doing鈥� to support your local community,鈥� he said.

Shopping local allows businesses to keep the doors open and provide a wider selection so people don鈥檛 have to start looking farther afield for those goods and services.

鈥淭he less shoppers you have, the less buying power your have to bring stuff in,鈥� he noted. 鈥淵ou want your local business to bring in more selection. How do they do that, by having more buying power. How to they have more buying power, by you supporting them.鈥�

Chamber members see community groups and people with causes come to them to ask for support and sponsorship.

鈥�91原创 is so close to the border,鈥� he said, noting that the value of the Canadian dollar is a big factor in whether people shop outside the community. 鈥淚 think the U.S. dollar has slowed some of that.鈥�

A recent 91原创enon arising from online ordering is showrooming. People will go into bricks and mortar stores to examine an item then go home and order it online.

鈥淲e definitely see that.

People need to ask themselves what they are sacrificing for the cheaper prices.

鈥淲hat kind of customer service are you getting for that,鈥� Nicholson commented.

If local bricks and mortar stores become part of history, people will have to travel further afield to find goods, there won鈥檛 be as much tax revenue for municipal, provincial and federal governments, non-business property owners will have to shoulder more of the tax burden, consumers will see higher tax rates since governments are in the business of raising taxes, not lowering them, and the buying public will see dwindling selection at whatever retailers do remain.