PHILIPSBURG – The Philipsburg Main Street Program today encouraged Moshannon Valley residents to spend their holiday shopping dollars at locally-owned, independent businesses. Walter Swoope, PRC board president and downtown property owner said “many people do not realize how positively and significantly spending just $20 per week at businesses other than big-box, national chains will affect local economies across the commonwealth.” The Philipsburg Main Street Program estimates that if each household spends just $20 this season at locally-owned, independent businesses, this equates to over $100,000 in additional sales for the local economy.
According to the Main Street Program Manager Emily Gette-Doyle, “Shopping local is important because it builds a strong local economy, ensures choice and diversity, and maintains community character.” Shopping locally is not only a unique experience it means so much to local business owners. “We embrace the idea of distinctive businesses with local character, but often forget their survival depends on our patronage” says Jeff Milchen of Reclaiming Democracy, “It is easy for us to get so consumed by efficiency that we forget how much of our lives we spend eating out, shopping, and doing other business. We owe it to ourselves to consider the quality of our experience, and ask if we benefit when we choose a community-based business.” This holiday season, consider making at least one purchase downtown!
The Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation is a non-profit charitable organization as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The PRC and the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership jointly operate the Philipsburg Main Street Program which is funded through community support of businesses and individuals. The program receives technical support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. For more information call the Main Street Manager at 814-342-2260 or visit www.PhilipsburgPA.org .