Nominations Are Open for the Second Annual Independent Business of the Year Award

"The Indie" is sponsored by Independent We Stand, which educates consumers on the benefits of buying goods and services from independent, local businesses.

June 25, 2012

Rebecca Wasieleski

Contractors, do you have a favorite independent, local construction supply store that exemplifies the spirit of small business in the United States? If so, I encourage you to nominate that store for the 2012 independent business of the year award, "The Indie."

The award is sponsored by Independent We Stand, a movement/website that educates consumers on the benefits of buying goods and services from independent, local businesses. The Independent We Stand website references several statistics that demonstrate benefits of buying local:

When you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to the local community. Spend that same amount at a national chain and it drops to $43.
For every square foot a local firm occupies, the local economy gains $179 vs. $105 for a chain store.
Locally-owned businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60% higher rate than chains and Internet retailers.

Nominations for the Indie Business Awards are open until Aug. 17 and are being accepted at www.IndieBizAward.com. Finalists for the prize will be selected from the group of nominations and public voting will follow. The winner of "The Indie" will be announced Sept. 10.