Issuu

Top Nestle Distribution Center

One of the Top

• School Tool Box, LLC

COMPANY

Top Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists

One of the Top

• Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire

• IDEAL Industries, Inc. FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS

Top Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists

One of the Top

• Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire

• The Lincoln Inn at Faranda’s

• Willrett Flower Company FINANCIAL INSTITUTION/SERVICE

Top FNBO

One of the Top

• First State Bank

• Resource Bank

HEALTHCARE COMPANY/FACILITY Top Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital

One of the Top

• Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists

• OakHeart Center for Counseling, Mediation, and Consultation

Parent Testimonials

“My child’s teachers are truly exceptional. We loved every bit of this year!”

“He loves every single thing and all activities done at school. A few of his favorites are gym, crafts, Bible stories, and big, smiling greetings from his teachers. Very happy!”

“I think you do an amazing job with the kids. I appreciate all the patience that was given as we navigated a brand new environment.”

DeKalb Sandwich

LARGE EMPLOYER (100+ EMPLOYEES)

Top

The Suter Company, Inc.

One of the Top

• Nestle Distribution Center

• First State Bank

MANUFACTURING/ PRODUCTION COMPANY

Top

The Suter Company, Inc.

One of the Top

• School Tool Box, LLC

MUNICIPALITY

Top

Cortland Town Hall

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Top

Opportunity House, Inc.

One of the Top

• Safe Passage

• Immanuel Lutheran Church & Student Center

Little Lambs Preschool

RETAIL COMPANY

Top

Blumen Gardens

SCHOOL/SCHOOL DISTRICT

Top

DeKalb Community Unit School District 428

One of the Top

• Sycamore Community School District 427

• Genoa-Kingston Community Unit School District 424

Surprising features of shopping local

A movement to “shop local” gained steam as more communities faced few options outside of big box stores. The shop local approach encourages consumers to patronize local businesses, and even those devoted to the cause might not realize how beneficial it can be. The following is how communities and residents can win when shopping local.

• Shopping local increases employment opportunities. Small businesses employ more workers in the United States than their larger counterparts, creating two out of every three new jobs, according to the Small Business Administration. In fact, small businesses account for 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the United States. Buying locally means employment levels are either going to be stable or there will be more opportunities for local residents to work in the community.

• Shopping local does not cost more money. Many people are under the assumption that buying locally is always more expensive. But this isn’t always the case. Local shops may offer a range of products from a particular region, which will reduce shipping costs, and that savings can be passed on to the consumer. Plus, small businesses may offer special discounts and promotions more readily than nationwide chains, so consumers can get more value for their money.

• Shopping local helps to keep money in the community. Patronizing local stores creates a recirculation of money in the community. Dollars spent in town raise the overall level of economic activity, which helps pay salaries, and builds up the local tax base.

• Shopping local can help the planet. Environmentalists were among the first

people to promote local consumption, as buying local can cut down on transportationrelated pollution.

• Shopping local stretches beyond seasonal events. Certainly there are a host of local merchants that do much of their business during key times of the year or specialize in seasonal produce. However, many local businesses also offer products year-round, and these local merchants include artisans, designers, musicians, and clothing retailers.