The 3/50 Project

You have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, how about Small Business Saturday?

Last night (thank goodness) I came across the 3/50 Project, was started in March 2009 by Cinda Baxter with a blog post.  According to their website, the Project's goal is to "increase consumer spending in a way that delivers the greatest amount of financial benefit to local community economies."

• 3:  What three independently owned business would you miss if they disappeared?  Stop in.  Say hello.  Pick up something that brings a smile.  Your purchases are what keeps those business around.  
• 50:  If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 bullion in revenue.*  Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the population did that
• 68:  For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain only $43 stays here.  Spend it online and nothing comes home

So go and find your favorite local business and go drop some money!  

I am heading down to the Strip (shocker) and Lawrenceville to see what I can find. 

*Employment stats courtesy US Labor Department 2/6/09 report; 68/43 stats courtesy Civic Economics