Buy Local campaign benefits community

Custer went through a community assessment process about five years ago that is now resulting in a tax increment financing (TIF) district downtown improvement project. TIF #4, as it is called, will result in a new look to our downtown area with buried electrical wires and historic lighting, among other things. Improving the looks of the downtown area was a top priority in the last assessment process and it is finally coming to fruition.

At this time, the community is embarking on another assessment process funded by the city, county and chamber of commerce with assistance from the South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service and South Dakota Rural Enterprise, Inc. Creating a Value-Added Community (CVAC) is a program of the Northwest Area Foundation. As its workbook states, “It was designed to help communities develop strategies for poverty reduction, while planning for economic development.”

The Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF) of St. Paul, Minn., is one of the largest funders of comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs) in rural settings in the United States, according to the workbook. These initiatives to community development include economic development, related training and skill development, strategies to increase social capital and capacity development, according to the workbook. The NWAF focuses all of its work on helping communities reduce poverty, which is a noble and worthwhile goal. The NWAF believes that poverty reduction is critical to revitalizing rural communities, instead of assuming that community revitalization will result in reducing poverty. This is an interesting concept.

Experience by the foundation over the past six years has come to some conclusions. A community must first decide if it wants to reduce poverty. Some say they do, but they seem to be stuck in the ways of the past. It will be interesting to see what the local group comes up with in addressing this poverty issue and others that logically come after it. How do we reduce poverty in Custer County and raise the standard of living for more of our citizens? Will this mean things will actually have to change in the county and will this change be good for everyone?

We have always advocated a relatively simple strategy for improving a community. It doesn’t require hiring outside consultants or adding a so-called economic development director to the city or chamber payroll. All that is really necessary for a community to prosper, even when times are tough, is for people to do business in their local communities. It’s not really difficult when you stop to think about it. Nearly everything we need can be found right here in our local stores and shops.

Granted, the selection may not be as diverse, but merchandise can always be special ordered for you. Prices are usually competitive with the big box stores and we have to remember that a trip to Rapid City becomes more expensive with rising fuel prices. Money that is spent here generates sales tax which can be used by the city for physical and infrastructure improvements. Money spent here actually circulates about seven times in the community.

Spending money locally means you are making an investment in jobs and sales tax in your own community, not somebody else’s. If we all spent our money locally, it would generate unbelievable results right here at home. It can be likened to taking the “Buy USA” theme just one step further. “Buy Local” can generate much good will and community prosperity.

All we need to do is give it our best shot.