Ben says "Buy Local" and you know I agree

The problem in this area isn't so much the lack of ideas, it's the lack of those who actually take action on ideas.

In other words, you have to do more than talk the talk you have to walk the walk.

Ben is doing both with his Buy Local Tour

This is more than just a "nice" thing to do, it makes good financial sense for our area as well, from Ben's blog:

The study estimated that $100 spent at Thackeray's Books resulted in a local economic return of $44. This return included revenue kept local through wages, suppliers, and profits. The same $100 spent at Barnes & Noble resulted in an economic return of only $20.

The study found that Thackeray's Books added more than $5 million annually to the local economy whereas Barnes & Noble contributed only $1.15 million.

I read the Maine Report, I've also read the research at BALLE this is something that we need to do. It to me goes hand in hand with trying to encourage creative entrepreneurial spirit to flourish.

In the Toledo Blade article on Ben's Buy Local Tour, Tim Wagener is quoted as:

"As a prior small business owner, I champion small businesses as the backbone of our economy,” said Maumee Mayor Tim Wagener.

So where is Tim's plan to continue to do this?

Phil Copeland states:

Toledo City Councilman Phil Copeland called Mr. Konop’s proposal “obvious.”

“He’s acting like he’s the only one with any ideas,” said Mr. Copeland, who plans to announce an economic policy this week. “Let’s get real and tell the people what we’re going to do for them. That’s what I’m all about.”

Phil since we have yet to hear much of anything from you at all, how you can not see this as something that Ben is telling people that he wants to do for them (building support of buying local which helps not only local businesspersons but the economy); I don't understand. But maybe sometime next week when you start "announcing" plans we'll know.

:-)

I'd also like to remind people that my favorite book store, Fireside Books, 7111 Orchard Centre Drive, Holland, Ohio, has been locally owned and operated for over 18 years. They not only try to support local authors but provide all of what the National Chains do and more...