Remember them: Local businesses are there every day of the year

It is not easy being a local or family-owned business these days.

There are more pressures than ever to keep the bottom line in the black and to take care of the employees you have, while trying to maintain and to grow your business.

The economy is slow, and people are watching their money, so competing to attract their dollars is getting harder and harder. You have to be careful where you put your money if you are a businessowner trying to get through this recession.

So one would think that there would be fewer and fewer businesses supporting Wayne County's charities and other worthwhile efforts.

Not so. Just as Wayne County residents rally and open their hearts and pocketbooks when there is a need in this community, so, too, do the hundreds of local businesses around the area.

They might not be able to give like they want to, but local businesses understand that we are all in this together.

And we need to remember that, too.

Shopping local is something many people might not think about. They are hunting for the best price or selection, and they assume they need to look outside the county.

The truth is the items might very well be right here -- and at a competitive price. All you have to do is look around.

At a time when budgets are tight and some businesses are making the choice to close rather than weather the storm, keeping our business community healthy and thriving is particularly important.

So next time you need to make a purchase, remember the businesses in this community who are there through good times and bad.

Give them the same support they have given this community -- often for generations.

And in the process, you will be helping to build a stronger Wayne County.

Published in Editorials on September 8, 2012 11:15 PM