How can YOU create jobs, support the economy and your neighbor?
An effort welcomed by the business community and well received among citizens, the Shop Rowan First program is vital to the success of local business. Whether you own a franchise store or run the family business, dollars spent in Rowan are the kind you want.
It helps that Rowan County has so much to offer in the ways of products and services. In the county we call home, residents and visitors will find quality, variety and affordability in suppliers, restaurants, retail stores, vehicles, architects, builders, recreational activities, financial institutions and more.
Salisbury’s downtown is a haven of great sandwich shops and boutiques for buying a present for a loved one or a treat for yourself. In the eastern part of the county, you’ll find some of the best food at Miss Ruby’s in Gold Hill and to the west at CJ’s in Cleveland. You can even get fresh seafood once a week at China Grove’s Stag n’ Doe. These family-owned businesses provide character and atmosphere along with their personal touch and great food.
But all too many of our locally owned businesses go under. There are various reasons, but one of the more prevalent is lack of support. So often we say, “I would have gone there more often if I’d known they were in trouble.” But unfortunately then it is too late.
In addition to having good products and services, and supporting your
neighbor, spending money in the county has so many benefits.
- Protects local jobs
- Strengthens local businesses
- Attracts new businesses to Salisbury-Rowan
- Stimulates our local economy
- Promotes quality, variety and affordability
- Expands the local tax base
- Preserves our quality of life for the present and future
We pay 7 percent sales tax each time we make a purchase in Rowan County. Though only 1 percent returns, it’s more than you might think. Add up all the purchases and it ends up in the tens of millions. Past county budgets have seen 20 percent or more of its funds from sales tax. That’s upwards of $20 million.
So when you buy that new shirt, dinner or a present for a friend, 1 percent of your purchase could go to schools and services here in Rowan or elsewhere. The more we shop in Rowan, the more jobs we make room for in our community. The more dollars spent in an establishment, the more employees that owner can support.
So make it a your resolution this year to Shop Rowan First!
