Buy local, or it’s bye-bye local

All over the country small businesses are in crisis. Main Street America works with over 1,000 Main Street Communities of all sizes and locations. In recent research they learned that - without assistance - almost half of small business owners do not believe they will be able to continue operations beyond the end of this year.

Small businesses employ almost half of all private-sector workers and account for 44 percent of our nation's GDP. They are vital employers and innovators. They support our churches, youth sports teams and civic events. Without them, there would be no Main Streets in America.

Here in Cedar Rapids there are a multitude of ways to support small businesses, from visiting safely with a mask, ordering takeout, to purchasing gift cards, and shopping safety from your home using a local businesses website or by visiting www.shopiowa.com.

Another grassroots movement that helps support local businesses is through the Loyal to Local program. You can buy 'Bonds” for local businesses and in a few months if you don't use them those 'Bonds” appreciate in value. This is another important investment in local small business.

Whichever way you decide to support local please buy local or bye bye local.

Abby Huff

Executive director, Czech Village-New Bohemia Main Street District