[Vision2020] Economics of Business

[Keli Keach]

  Jeff H.,
     I agree with many of your points in your argument especially when you say,
  
  “On the other hand, in our economic system, no business has an 
absolute right to exist simply because it exists.  A business earns 
its right to exist by meeting customers' needs and wants.  A 
successful business must expect to compete - or become extinct.”
  
However, a community has the right to help protect the businesses that exist in their communities. Many consumers think about the how they can save a dime now but fail to realize how their actions today will effect what they may want tomorrow. 
If they end up shopping at “Spence Hardware” a quarter of the time they did before a Supercenter was built they might not realize that they are directly affecting the business of that store and that eventually the small hardware store may close. 
I can imagine those same consumers saying, “It’s a shame. I really liked shopping there when I needed this or that, and their employee’s always treated me so well.”
In retrospect, those same individuals might also say, “I wonder if it was the Supercenter
” 
  
How many times do you drive through the small towns around here and see all the boarded up businesses. 
Is this the reality of the business world? Absolutely. But at the same time why not try to keep a community thriving with a variety of businesses? 

  
The statistics are out there on what has happened, good and bad, to the cities and towns who have allowed a Supercenter to locate there. 
I think it’s our job to discuss how a Wal-Mart would impact the local area and then decide, as a community, whether or not we want the changes it would bring.  
We could decide to let them in and cast our vote through our shopping habits (or lack there of). Or, after reviewing the facts, we may decide to take a stand now, 
as so many other towns have already done, and tell Wal-Mart they are not welcome in our community. 
  
Keli
   

		
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