As we embark on a new year with fresh goals and optimistic mindsets, we at Love Local, PEI, have a small but impactful ask for you. In 2021 and beyond, we ask you to put your money where your heart is and make the 10% shift to local. Commit to make the 10% shift to local by consciously dedicating 10% of your consumer spending to locally owned and operated businesses.
Why should you consider making the 10% shift? A small shift in spending overall can significantly impact and contribute to a vibrant and sustainable Island economy. It will help keep local open, create new jobs and generate tax revenues to support critical services such as health care and education systems.
If this is not enough to convince you, here are four more reasons why you should consider making the 10% shift this year.
1. Strengthens our Communities
These locally-owned and operated businesses are the backbones of our small Island communities. When you make the 10% shift, you are putting money directly back into our Island economy. Local purchases keep the wealth in our small communities, increasing the prosperity for the people around us and creating vibrant neighbourhoods to live in.
2. Keeps Local Open
Everyone has been impacted in some way during the COVID – 19 pandemic and small local businesses have been impacted the most. Tourism is a part of our Island way of life. Now is the time for Islanders to come together and consciously help them. If you can do one thing this year that may help a small local business survive the impacts of COVID-19, would you do it? While it doesn’t cost any more, it may take a little more effort.
3. Employs Islanders
Small local businesses employ our family and friends, donate to our children’s school and sports teams and are willing to put themselves out there to bring diversity and choice to us as Islanders.
When you buy from a local business, these business owners recirculate their earnings back into our Island economy, supporting our community through health care and our education systems and more. Beyond that, they create new skilled jobs, increase their current wages to give their Island employees better pay, and help our Island economy thrive.
4. Connection
Small local businesses have adapted to create a safe environment for you to shop, dine and play. Human connection is something we took for granted before COVID – 19 and is more important than ever. While we are practicing social distancing, navigating life during lockdowns and spending our days on zoom meetings, the craving for normalcy and one on one interactions is at an all time high for most. Buying locally gets us out of the house or office and onto the street where we interact and connect with others safely.
For a moment, imagine if we all shifted 10% of our annual household spending to support local businesses. The benefits of supporting local are endless! Supporting local isn’t a fad. It’s a conscious lifestyle choice that supports real people and immensely helps our Island community and Islanders as a whole.
So, as we embark on a new year, with fresh goals and optimistic mindsets, commit to make the 10% shift to local. We recognize that everyone’s situation is unique. If you can’t shift 10% to local, shift what you can. Every little bit counts. Share this commitment, and encourage your family and friends to do the same! And remember to Love Local, PEI by putting your money where your heart is all year-round.
Make the 10% Shift Today!