Hunt County citizens are worrying about the economy a lot these days. It is understandable.
Year after year we heard of bailouts, fiscal cliffs and sequestrations, all items tied to our massive national debt and unfettered spending.
Locally, we still have a long way to go as we overcome the loss of local factories, retail establishments and restaurants like Covidien, Newell-Rubbermaid, Woodgrain Millwork, the College Corner Cafe and Mary of Puddin Hill.
Supporting locally-owned businesses is a powerful way to shore up the local economy. A pair of blue jeans purchased in town adds to the amount of sales tax our city collects, instead of making Rockwall or Dallas county richer. Sales tax is one of the two main sources of revenue for our city’s general fund, the money the city pay for everything besides water lines and bond debts.
Local business owners spend in the community as well — they hire county residents and purchase goods and services from other Hunt County businesses. And, naturally, a higher percentage of profits from Greenville and Hunt County retailers are kept in the local economy than national corporations.
There are often complaints about Greenville lacking shopping locations, certain restaurants, and entertainment options. But how can we expect our economy to grow if we continue to pour money into businesses across the nation instead of here at home? How can we expect more from our community if we don’t build into it ourselves?
Shopping with local merchants helps improve our community by providing jobs and increasing local revenue.
Our local businesses need our support. These establishments are not owned by faceless corporations, but your neighbors, friends, former classmates and other members of our community.
What have you done today to help our local economy grow?
Opinion
Benefits of shopping locally
- Opinion
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Being a father
Just sitting here, being a father ...
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'Elephant' that won't go away
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Flag Day more than special day
So proudly She waves…
Come June 14 various individuals will celebrate another birthday. For them, it’s a special day. Besides special birthdays, June 14 is designated Flag Day. -
Jaylynn turns 14
I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.
Jaylynn is now 14 years old. -
Erring on the side of caution
Hunt County saw some severe weather earlier this week, but thankfully we were spared the kind of destruction that north Texas and Moore, Okla. had to endure.
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‘Alexander placed many jobs at risk’
Dear Greenville Community,
Decisions related to termination of personnel are probably the most difficult faced by people charged with managing organizations, whether it is a business or a public entity. -
City deserves better voter participation
We recently posted the voter turnout for the May 11 municipal elections on our Facebook page. Only 14.22 percent of registered Greenville voters, or 1,793 people, participated in the democratic process.
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Legislature needs to meet every year
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Sometimes even good friends can butt heads
As the song says, “I get by with a little help from my friends.”
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Moore’s arrest could lead to closure, healing
When news broke Tuesday that a man had been charged with the 2012 murder of Greenville teenager Alicia Moore, we received strong reactions from local readers.
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