Support local businesses during turbulent time

By Letter to the Editor on March 18, 2020.

It is no secret that with the recent announcement of the UCP budget, which further cuts public-sector jobs in health care, research and post-secondary education among others, and in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic affecting international markets, economic stability is a bit tenuous at the moment.

Fortunately, there is a way to dampen the effects of these austerity cuts and global economic cratering: supporting local businesses. By circulating our hard-earned dollars within our own community instead of purchasing from big box stores or shopping online, we have the opportunity to minimize the economic impact of these unfortunate events, and insulate Lethbridge from an economic turbulent time.

Local businesses in the hospitality and service industries will be hardest hit by population quarantine and panic, which is reasonable: who wants to chance getting ill? Instead, consider stabilizing their businesses by purchasing gift cards for use at a later date. The influx of cash to get them through these upcoming trials will help keep doors open, and people employed in the long run.

Small businesses are often heralded as the backbone of the economy, but too often are left out of tax reforms that benefit only high-profit mega corporations. Do your part to keep Lethbridge stable: shop local!

From one local business person to you, thank you for your support.

Kelti Baird

Lethbridge

Comments are closed.