Why Support Local

Supporting local goes beyond purchases, we can also help our small businesses in six easy steps for free.

1. Write a positive review.
2. Tell your friends and family.
3. Follow the businesses on social media.
4. Engage with their posts.
5. Give them a shoutout on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or another social media channel.
6. Sign up for their newsletter and email blast.

Dollars spent on locally owned businesses contribute to community well-being by building strong neighbourhoods, sustaining communities, linking neighbours, and supporting local causes. Shopping local creates a virtuous loop by:

How you can support

Keep money in the local economy

Business and property taxes fund our communities and provide vital services such as emergency services, street repairs and trash collection. Local businesses are more likely to shop with other local businesses, keeping money moving in our local economy even longer.

Create local opportunities

Locally owned businesses create more job opportunities, allowing local talent to live and work in the same community.

Provide product diversity

Small businesses select products based on their knowledge of their local customers' needs and the decisions made by those who feel the impact. Local stores often carry unique items from local artists and farmers. You help preserve community diversity and distinctive flavour by choosing to support locally owned businesses.

Provide product knowledge and better service

Local business owners are informed about their products and are often experts. Because they know their customers, they can easily adjust their inventories to include the goods and services local people want to buy. In addition, they will often go the extra mile to provide personalized customer service.

Reduce environmental impact

Buying from a locally owned business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging. Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable neighbourhoods, which are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

Support community groups

Local businesses support community organizations. Studies show that non-profits receive more support from local businesses.

Encourage entrepreneurship and competition

Small businesses fuel economic innovation, prosperity and competition. Entrepreneurship allows individuals to improve their economic position and generate their own income.

Resources

Download a Shop Local Poster to display in your business!

Get to know local businesses through our partners:

• Downtowns of Durham
• Ontario Made
• Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
• Oshawa Business Directory 

View the accessible P.D.F.