Op-Ed: Supporting local businesses makes big difference
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By Denise S. Nelson
When my father, Lewis Scarbrough, started “The Coosa County News” in 1992 I remember hearing him say that Coosa County needed a local newspaper so people could know what was going on in their community. When he passed away, that need didn’t die with him. I decided to keep the paper going in his memory and for all of you, too.
I’m incredibly proud of what we publish each week with our shoestring staff and shoestring budget, even though I’m always wishing we had the resources to do just a little bit more!
Two articles in our October 9 edition inspired me to write this letter: “Do You Have a Good Local Newspaper?” (Yes, we do!) and “Is Coosa County Ready for a Local Health Food Grocer?” by our columnist, Jennifer Williamson.
Running a small business in Coosa County can be challenging, in part because we’re so spread out that we sometimes lack a sense of togetherness as a community. Many residents feel more connected to the surrounding towns than to Coosa County itself. People leave the county for work and shopping, and let’s face it, these days it’s easier than ever to order just about anything from Amazon without leaving the couch!
But I encourage you to take a moment to think about the kind of community you want for yourself, your family and your neighbors. Most of us feel the pull of the digital world. Yet the more I feel that pull, the more I realize how important it is to make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple, everyday moments that bring me closer to nature and help me build meaningful relationships with the people and places around me.
I once heard someone say, “You vote with your pocketbook,” and I believe that’s true. Every dollar we spend sends a message about what we want to see more of.
Of course, we all appreciate convenience, and large retailers offer a seemingly endless variety of choices. That isn’t going to change, nor does it have to. But I hope we’ll also remember to nurture what’s growing right outside our own front doors.
Local businesses may not be able to offer us the same variety as the big retailers, but they give us something those retailers can’t. When we support them, we’re doing more than making a purchase. We’re investing in our neighbors and helping preserve the kind of community we want to live in.
A huge thank-you to our wonderful columnists and contributors who share their time, talents and insights with our readers. And finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our advertisers. They’ve chosen to invest in our community, and that support means so much to us.
Thank you to each and every one of you who supports “The Coosa County News.” We do this for you, and we’re grateful to be part of your lives each week!
