Utah’s Mayors Speak – Shop Local Utah “Independents” [like Ski ‘N See] and Keep the Money Working for You
Ski ‘N See ski shops announces participation in Utah’s first “Independents” week. Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams joined seven other mayors from across Utah this week in proclaiming July 1-7 “Independents” Week – championing the push for Utahns to shop locally owned and operated businesses. The proclamations come as Local First Utah reveals the results of an economic study series showing local businesses return four times more to the local economy than chain retailers.
“We opened our doors with one shop in Sandy in 1987 and although we have grown to 12 shops, we are still locally owned and operated,” says Ski ‘N See owner Roy Ostendorf. “We are proud to contribute to our community by employing more than 150 locals every ski season.”
The statewide Civic Economics study brings to light the difference between locally owned and national retailers. Local businesses return 55.3% of their revenue to the local economy, compared to just 13.6% from national chains. The study’s results uncover the reality that spending just 10% more with local businesses would keep approximately $1.3 billion in Utah’s economy each year.
“Ski ‘N See offers donations to dozens of local charities every year and the owners never use it for tax deduction purposes,” adds Client Relations Manager Kerry Demarets. “It makes me proud when organizations offer us tax deduction forms for our donations and I tell them we don’t need them because we want it to be a true donation. That’s one way the money stays in the local economy with us.”
The list of mayors officially recognizing Independents Week include Mayor Ralph Becker of Salt Lake City, Mayor Mike Caldwell of Ogden, Mayor Mike Winder of West Valley City, Mayor Tom Dolan of Sandy, Mayor Cherie Wood of City of South Salt Lake, Mayor Lori Nay of Gunnison City, and Mayor Dave Sakrison of Moab.
Local First says the Civic Economics analysis looked at detailed financial reports from 27 retailers and 17 restaurateurs from across the state. This is the first statewide compilation representing the economic impact of both urban and rural locally owned businesses.
