Keep Charleston unique: Help grow local businesses

Many Thanks to Charleston Currents for publishing this article by our own Executive Director: Jamee Haley:

AUG. 22, 2011 - A recent trip to Asheville demonstrated what the future of the local movement in Charleston could be. The signs in the windows of the nearly all local-independent businesses that reside in the booming downtown, say "Local, it's the new black." This partnered with the "Love Asheville, Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is" shows the loyalty and commitment of a community to local independent businesses.

Haley

While the support of local independent businesses has greatly increased with the Buy Local movement initiated by Lowcountry Local First in Charleston, we still have room for improvement. The idea of purchasing food from local farmers has become more than a trend but a way of life for many. When LLF first started almost 5 years ago there were no Community Supported Agriculture programs in the area. We now have over 14 farmers and fishermen participating in CSAs and over 3,000 members of our community now receiving the direct benefits of their labor.

How do we translate the same connections with growers in our area to other local businesses? We support area farmers and fishermen because we want to know who grew our food; the fresh products taste better and we want to play a part in the preservation of our farmland and seafood industry. These same desires can be translated to supporting local independent businesses: We typically receive better service, we can meet the shop or business owner, and we want to keep our area unique.

The benefits of supporting these local businesses are 3 times that of supporting a national chain. Local business owners live here, pay taxes, support our schools, parks and arts, and are engaged in the community. According to a study done by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, nonprofits receive an average 350% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

So, I believe we have a great opportunity here to stop chasing the elephant that so many in our communities see as the answer to economic recovery. The idea that the huge corporation is going to come into the area and solve all of our economic woes is dated to say the least. But I often have to remind myself of the Buckminster Fuller quote, "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." The existing model is obsolete and we as a community have the opportunity to create the new model by investing in the people who already are invested in our community.

Charleston's rich history, natural beauty and understandable pride can be enhanced by being a little more like our friends in Asheville. The recognition Charleston receives as a Top Destination city in the country is not because we have national retailers on King Street, but because of the wonderful dining and shopping experiences that visitors and locals alike have when seeking out the those truly special experiences.

Lowcountry Local First is now over 400 members strong and our network of local business owners and community members is growing at a rapid rate. We continue to develop programs and ideas that ease the process of supporting our local independent businesses by offering discounts and promotions through the Buy Local card, establishing a new website with a more robust searchable directory, our 5th Buy Local campaign coming this holiday season and more.

The great thing about this movement is that it is one that everyone can get behind. It falls neither on the left or the right of the political line and establishes the new model that will sustain us for the long haul!

• Want to learn more about Lowcountry Local First or become a member? Go online.

  Jamee Haley is the executive director of Lowcountry Local First. She can be reached by email or by calling 843-276-6731.