Act Local: It Works

It is important to know when things work. Especially because the media bias feeds us a disproportionate amount of negatively slanted news. It is also important to know that what you do and how you design your everyday environment makes a difference, even if it’s just a sticker on your car announcing to the world you’ve offset your emissions or a T-Shirt urging the onlooker to buy local. 

According to a recent study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, “communities with an active “buy local” campaign have experienced markedly stronger revenue growth compared to those located in areas without such a campaign.” That revenue growth averages at 5.6% compared to 2.1% in communities without a “buy local” initiative. 

But the effects of the campaigns spread wider than just bringing new customers to the stores. They increase the awareness and support of government officials as well as the local media. “This survey offers further proof that, with sustained efforts, communities can indeed raise local consciousness and build a culture of support for local entrepreneurs,” says Jennifer Rockne, executive director of the American Independent Business Alliance.

So keep wearing that shirt, editing that PSA video, or designing that poster to hang in your local grocery store. What you do and what you design matters.

Via GOOD; photo credit: NewsHour via flickr