I have been following the work of Michael Shuman (www.smallmart.org) who is a pioneering researcher and advocate for the critical importance of a “local living economy.” Contrary to conventional economic development practices in most communities, where municipalities and/or chambers of commerce extol the virtues and pony up major subsidies to bring new businesses to town, investing in already-established local businesses actually brings far more jobs and dollars into the community. As a consumer, I very purposefully shop in locally-owned businesses, not only supporting my friends and neighbors who own the business or work there, but appreciating the fact that roughly 3 times the economic benefit stays in my community vs. going elsewhere. For every $100 I spend, $45 stays in my community with a locally-owned business, vs. just $13 with a chain/big box store.