Local businesses are the building blocks of a community. As towns grow and thrive, new needs continually present themselves. In turn local entrepreneurs are there to fill the void, while the community also attracts new business owners eager to be a part of the uniqueness which has grown from demand, ultimately being attracted for the potential a community possesses.
The oil boom in the southeast has assisted many communities in revitalization. Through opening up a greater demand for workers in the area, they offer a multitude of jobs which had otherwise not been available. Thus, attracting people to the community helping it to flourish while also drawing back home those who had left for opportunities elsewhere.
It is local businesses that provide opportunities to people and attract new community members. These opportunities include the creation of jobs and a chance for the town to grow, to truly thrive. Without local businesses a town cannot truly function and will slowly cease to exist, which has been a trend in some small towns.
Carlyle and surrounding communities, however, have not succumbed to this trend and have found a way to maintain prosperity.
President of the Carlyle Chamber of Commerce, Martin Tourand, explained that without local business the general population wouldn't have the same opportunities as they do.
"Local business is important and without businesses, people would have to leave town to find the services they need, which this town has more services than any other small town I've seen," Tourand stated. "The more businesses we get the better off people are."
Though some may complain of steep prices at local businesses, it must be understood that the cost to have their product brought to the area is more than the cost of bringing it to places such as Regina, which is levelled out when the cost to leave the area to obtain these wants or needs are realized.
By supporting local businesses instead of going elsewhere, one is not only supporting that business, but is supporting the local community at large as these companies and businesses found in the immediate area are the ones who generally give liberally to community fundraisers, local sports teams, and are the ones ensuring a sense of community amongst its citizens.
Local businesses reinvest in the services and well-being of their community, which has made a great difference in their respective communities.
For example, without the help of donations and sponsorships from companies and businesses in Carlyle the local Crescent Point Leisure Complex may not be in working order today.
Last year when the pool needed to be resurfaced, it may not have been able to afford a solution. In addition to the resurfacing the new expansion that the Pool Board worked tirelessly towards, which came into realization this year, wouldn't have been achieved. Due to many local businesses and companies who were able to give generously the complex was able to grow and better serve the community ensuring it would remain in the town. It is a service that caters to all ages and encourages a community to come together.
This is the case with many local recreational destinations; sponsorship and donations are a large factor in keeping them active, while in turn operators of local businesses become patrons as well. Proving towns are truly a uniquely interconnected entity.
Local business, therefore, reflects a town's identity. Each and every business thusly has an irreplaceable story and history to share as to how they came to be.
A community having a variety of businesses in an area can help to attract tourists and new residents while providing opportunities to those already living there. Businesses cater to their community because they themselves are a part of it and want to see their town do well. They listen to their neighbours and go out of their way to bring in items their patrons would like to see.
In the end patrons receive a higher standard of service because the owners care about their patrons who often turn out to be friends, family, or acquaintances. Local businesses are held to a higher standard because of this.
Therefore, the community can appreciate all that local business does in the area and will hopefully continue to offer their patronage because without local business a community cannot exist. It is on the shoulders of local businesses operated by people living in the community who help create diversity and offer a one-of-a-kind experience otherwise impossible to know.
