Investing in our community

Editorial Board

Published: October 13, 2009

The Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce and others have been beating the "shop local" drum for years.

Now the chamber is preparing to back up that slogan with coupons that will entice folks to do just that. Three times a week for the next month, starting Thursday, the chamber will post coupons for local goods and services on its Web site, www.statesvillechamber.org.

Chamber President and CEO David Bradley said the campaign will challenge residents to do what is best for the entire community.

Spending your money in Statesville helps your friends and neighbors who live and work here keep a roof over their heads, food in the pantry and heat on in the winter.

A percentage of state sales tax money is also returned to our community to support local governments and schools, which are struggling because of dwindling support from Raleigh.

The chamber's "Truth or Dare" campaign will help measure whether the community appreciates those realities.

But there's no denying that when you shop locally, everyone benefits.