I learned about the 3/50 project today and thought I would share as it seems to be something from which the whole Pocatello community could benefit. Nothing saddens me more that seeing local businesses go down the tubes while franchises and box stores locate themselves out in the no-man’s land between Pocatello and Chubbuck. As Wal-Mart and Fast Food Franchises proliferate, the essence of “community” suffers, and so does the local economy. Locally owned, independent brick and mortar business return 68% of their income to our local economy. National chains? 43% or even less and on-line businesses, zero. That purchase at Amazon might have been convenient, but you lifted dollars out of your neighbors pocket when you did it.
The 3/50 idea s a simple one. You think of three locally owned, brick and mortar businesses that you would hate to lose.. Stop in and say hello. Introduce yourself. these are your neighbors. Try to spend $50 a month in those three businesses. Not $50 in each business each month but just $50 spread between the three. Eat lunch in a locally owned restaurant like Red Hot Roasters instead of McDonald’s. Visit Ed Snell’s Pharmacy instead of Wal-Mart. Buy a book from The Walrus and the Carpenter instead of ordering online from Amazon. If only 100 of us do this then we have pumped $5000 into those local businesses and that money will come back into the community in a myriad of positive ways. If 1000 of us take up the cause…. The idea of living in a community where everyone gives a damn about everyone else appeals to me. This is one way to advance that cause. What three local businesses are you going to support? I’ve just given you my three. Perhaps next month I’ll choose three more. Together we can make Pocatello an even better place to live and help strengthen the local economy, three businesses at a time.
https://www.facebook.com/The350Project
http://www.the350project.net/home.html
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You are correct Steve. I believe that a good LOCAL economy is essential for support of our schools. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Excellent idea. Then, ask those businesses to support educaiton by telling Luna to get lost and telling our Legislators to return to sanity and reverse the march toward the desstruction of public education.