Love Local

As the second wave rears its ugly head, your business community grows ever more anxious about what is to come. Many of them have already endured months of being shut down, or been seriously compromised. Some of them still are. And some of them haven’t made it.

The pandemic has demonstrated a number of things, but one of the most important is the simple value of a job, and what it takes to create one. I could throw multiple layers of statistics at you to explain just how important things like industrial and commercial taxes are to the basic functioning of a Township, County, a City, Province or Country, but to keep it simple, think in terms of jobs, taxes, license and permit fees. Business taxes alone contribute 23% of the City of Peterborough’s $286 million budget. Of the County’s total levy of $46.7 million, roughly 6% comes from business taxation.

What can you do about it? Commit to supporting the businesses that support you. In the coming months it is critical that we go out of our way to try and ensure the survival of our local businesses.

And while on the surface it might appear to require a bit more effort, nearly 80% of Canadians say they are more likely to choose Canadian brands/products.

The next couple of months will see many of the usual shopping “events”, including “Black Friday”, “Cyber Monday”, “Amazon Prime Day”, not to mention Christmas and Boxing Day! There will be lots of deals out there, and I know you will take advantage of them. Do your research and choose local whenever you can.  “PtboPrime”, anyone?

Local retailers are stepping up. They are increasingly able to compete on price, delivery, and a sophisticated and convenient online experience. Many are already online and can be easily found.

Think local, support local, buy local, and “Keep Your Town in Business, by Keeping Your Business in Town”.

By: Stewart Harrison, President and CEO Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
www.peterboroughchamber.ca