LETTER from SENATOR JIM SEWARD

More Thank Ever, Shop

Locally This Christmas

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and we are being hit from all sides with a seemingly endless barrage of commercials and promotions. While there are a number of factors shoppers use to evaluate potential purchases, one that should be kept in mind is where products are made.

Shopping our local Main Streets is one of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit and help spark the local economy. The recent Small Business Saturday was a great opportunity to promote all of the terrific products our locally owned businesses offer.

This year, it is vital that we find ways to support our locally owned small businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many businesses struggling to stay open. Additionally, the cost to do business has increased sharply with new safeguards and restrictions putting increased pressure on the bottom line for many.

Many of our local business organizations and chambers of commerce are sponsoring special promotions to assist small businesses and get the word out about their unique offerings. Whenever possible, I hope you are able to meet your holiday shopping needs at one of our many amazing small businesses.

Certainly, once you see what they have to offer, you will be visiting our small businesses year-‘round.

You can further add to the holiday cheer by making sure purchases include a “Made in U.S.A.” label. In fact, December is national “Made in America Month.”

President Ronald Reagan made the declaration in 1985 in an attempt to boost national pride and the national economy. In making the proclamation, President Reagan stated in part, “It is time for consumers both here and abroad to take a fresh look at what America has to offer.