Independents week is this week and is a national event to promote local businesses across the country. Here in Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is supporting this cause and has declared June 30 - July 6 as independents week! Support your local economy and its uniqueness by making an extra effort to shop locally this week.

Why support local business? Check out this list of reasons from Local First Arizona:

• For every two jobs national retailers bring to a community, three jobs are lost as a result of local businesses closing down.
• When you shop locally-owned businesses, your money is re-circulated over and over and creates up to 75% more tax revenue to our community and state.
• Independent businesses raise the standard of living in your community because they take their profits and buy products and services from other local businesses, thus creating more and more tax revenues needed for the community to thrive.
• Millions of dollars of tax revenue subsidies handed to chains by financially-starved local governments drain even more tax revenue from our community and state.
• Blighted empty shopping areas are created in your community when chain stores re-locate to a more lucrative shopping center, or leave altogether. Literally hundreds of big stores are abandoned each year across the United States.
• Independent businesses are unique enterprises that contribute to the character of our community by offering a more diverse selections of goods and services.
• Independent businesses provide meaningful service with a personal touch. It matters to them that you are satisfied and will come back again.
• Carefully planned predatory pricing practices have allowed national chains to establish virtual monopolies as they drive local competition out of business. And then they raise their prices.

Take the pledge to support local business this week and pick up your golden ticket to save 20% at participating locations. No matter where you are in the country this is a great week to support local business and help keep your money local and your neighborhood unique.

Look forward to my list of recommended local businesses coming later this week. Until then see what some other Arizonan’s favorite local spots are here.