Why Local?

You may already enjoy shopping locally because it’s fun and convenient, and you may know the owner and the employees. But there are many other great reasons to shop locally. Here are just a few:

It keeps dollars in our economy
Each dollar you spend at a local independent business returns 3 times more money to our local economy than one spent at a chain store.

It makes us unique
There’s no place on earth quite like the Connecticut / Rhode Island shore.  People travel here from great distances to learn of our rich maritime history, to shop our many one-of-a-kind  boutiques and to enjoy our beautiful parks and beaches.  Our unique character attracts tourists here, and also makes it a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
It creates local jobs
Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in most sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains.

It helps our environment
Independent, community-serving businesses are people-sized. They consume less land, carry more locally-made products, and locate closer to residents, creating less traffic and pollution.

It nurtures our community
Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers and contributing to local causes. The casual encounters you enjoy at a neighborhood business forge strong local relationships by
linking neighbors.

It lowers our taxes
Local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers, and safety services than most chains and generate more tax revenue per sales dollar, helping keep your taxes lower.

It promote innovation
A marketplace of many small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices in the long run. Also, when businesses select products based on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, we’re guaranteed a much broader range of product choices.

SEA educates about the economic, cultural, and community benefits of shopping at local independently owned and operated businesses. Our goal is to inspire people to shift their spending to these businesses whenever possible.