5 Ways That Small BusinessesHelp The Community

Trevor Marca

Local Identity

Small businesses give a community itsunique identity. Art galleries, bookstores, cafes, yogastudios, and corner grocery stores addcharacter to the communities that theycall home. Many towns are proud of the number oflocal businesses that inhabit theircommunity. In an effort to attract visitors, localtourism boards often advertise thenumber of local businesses as a sign ofcommunity health.

Community Involvement

Small business owners want to give back tothe communities they live in. Many small businesses sponsor local sportsteams or donate money to local charitiesaround the holidays. Since small business owners usually live inthe communities where they work, theycare about their neighbors.In general, they don’t make decisions thatwill negatively affect other communitymembers.

Build Relationships

When you visit a local business, it’s verylikely that you will meet the owner. Oftentimes, owners make an effort to getto know their customers, learn theirnames, and remember their preferences. Small businesses don’t have all of theadvantages that big businesses have, sothey care about providing greatcustomer service and establishing lastingrelationships with their customers.

Help the Environment

When numerous small businesses are locatedin one area, foot traffic is increased, andpeople don’t have to rely on their automobilesas much. This contributes to better air quality.Today consumers are increasingly concernedabout the health of the environment. They alsocare about walkability. Since small businesses tend to be located closeto one another, this helps increase acommunity’s walkability and attract health-conscious residents.

Local Employment

Small businesses provide jobs tocommunity members. When someone can get a job in thearea where they live, they don’t haveto commute to another city, and theymay even be able to walk to work eachday. Also, when community members shopat local businesses, they help putmoney in the pockets of theirneighbors behind the counter.