OUR VIEW: A sensible approach to help area businesses

» Spending money at local stores means a greater investment in Culpeper’s economic well being.

How important is it for you to spend money at locally owned businesses? It’s a great question asked last week by community columnist James Clements.

Every dollar spent locally adds to the tax base, meaning more jobs as well as money for schools, roads and parks — all the things that add to the area’s quality of life. Increased sales tax revenue often translates to property owners carrying less of a burden.

In Clements’ column, he spoke of Cinda Baxter, who started a project that aims to “save the economy three stores at a time” by asking consumers to pick three locally owned independent businesses and spend a total of $50 with them each month.

Baxter’s 3/50 Project could certainly work well in Culpeper.

She claims that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures; national chains return only $43.

While it is important to spend money locally, it is also important for area businesses to meet the community’s needs, especially from a time management standpoint.

While Culpeper has a vibrant downtown with a wide range of retail options, a great portion of our population is forced to commute, and getting home by 6 p.m. each day is impossible. If they want to pick up a bottle of wine, a piece of jewelry or that perfect dress, they have trouble getting there before the shops close.

Extended hours have been offered on special event days, but businesses have to be there when it’s convenient for the customer.