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1. Does this mean I need to make all my purchases in Hinton?

No. All #HintonFirst first asks is that residents seriously look for options in town first. Before volunteering, spending, or visiting attractions in other communities, look here for an opportunity to fill that need. Supporting local services, ensures our community will have the services we require.

2. What I need isn't currently available at a Hinton Business. Can I still support #HintonFirst?

By looking at the options, you have! If no local businesses can fill your need, and none are able to find a way to create a solution, you’ve done everything #HintonFirst has asked of you.

3. Why is thinking locally such an issue?

When you spend time or money here in Hinton, most of the benefit of that action stays here. But when you go out of town, the businesses you support or causes that benefit don’t have any cause to invest in your community. They don’t pay municipal taxes, they don’t buy from local suppliers, provide time or money to the many events in our community, or employ local people. Sometimes, buying an item online or at a warehouse store may be the cheapest option, but when you consider the costs of not having the businesses that offer those items or services in town, the price starts to rise dramatically.

4. Aside from businesses, how does the community benefit from #HintonFirst?

In many ways! Residents sharing positive local experiences help others to understand and appreciate what makes Hinton a great place to live, visit and do business. Hinton is a community that looks out for one another; what sets us apart is our willingness to help when help is needed. Our town is strong, and our people are genuine.

Building in a new take on the previous shop local economics messaging, the vision for #HintonFirst is to help you understand that supporting local businesses provides employment to locals, attracts new business, as well as aids in the local support given to youth programs, community events and non-profit organizations. Choosing #HintonFirst also serves to retain the services we currently have, as our existing business base requires ongoing support to... exist

5. What does the phrase "vote with dollars" mean?

It’s a new way of thinking about spending. Consider every dollar you spend as a way you are showing an opinion; by buying an item, you’re showing you consider it worth purchasing. When you buy a coffee, you’re more than just purchasing a hot beverage; you’re showing your support for that single business location, for the coffee industry, and for the convenience of having coffee shops. By spending money on the things you believe are important, you can show that you support those things. The same is true for recreation facilities or for the non-profits you choose to volunteer for; your actions show what you deem important.

6. What does this have to do with taxes?

Consider online retailer Amazon. For every 10 million in sales in North America, Amazon employs only 19 people. An independent retailer would on average employee 47 employees for that amount of sales. In addition to the small jobs number that Amazon contributes (which is zero for the vast majority of communities) they also don’t have a storefront in your community. A storefront means property tax, which means benefit to your community. Finally, less local business means less support for non-profits, who in turn will look to the municipality for support.

So in buying from Amazon, consumers are working against local job creation, avoiding supporting businesses that are an essential part of municipal taxation, and taking away from local non-profits. Each of those effects hit municipal coiffeurs in their own way.