To ring in the new year, our director Kimber Lanning has authored a letter to the editor to remind Arizona consumers to include “making the 10% shift” to support local businesses in their new years resolutions. You may have already seen it in some various local news publications. Here it is reprinted below:

As 2012 comes to a close, many of us will make resolutions for the new year to lose weight, read a book, learn a language, or one of a million other goals we have put off to improve our well being. However, there is something we can do to make a far greater impact on our own lives and in our community: pledge to shift 10 percent of the money you spend from national chains to independent businesses.

Studies show that for every $100 spent at a chain, only $13 stays and benefits the local community. Conversely, that $100 spent at local businesses keeps $45 in the local economy.

It is estimated that if an average American city shifted 10 percent of their spending from national chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy. This equates to more jobs created, dependable services, and an improved standard of living.

Easily shift 10 percent of your spending this year by pledging to lose that weight at a local gym, buy that book at an independent bookstore, or learn a new language from a local instructor.

Find other ways to shift and 2200 independent businesses at www.localfirstaz.com.