A New Year's resolution: Supporting Main Street

With the holidays behind us and a new year in front of us, now is an appropriate time to reflect on the very unusual year we all just experienced and consider what 2021 might look like.  Importantly, while we know we can’t control a good amount of what we’ll be dealing with in the new year, focusing on what we can have an influence on will help us contribute positively to the communities in which we live and work.

During the Christmas season, it was a pleasure to shop locally and discuss with small business owners how the holidays were impacting their bottom line, especially after such a tumultuous year that included economic challenges brought on by a once-in-a-century global pandemic.  In general, but not surprisingly, most of the local and regional entrepreneurs I talked with were pleasant, optimistic and thankful for the support they received throughout the year from folks who wanted to be sure to spend their hard-earned dollars locally and contribute to the overall economic health of Main Street and rural Montana.

As thankful as local business owners are for the support they have received during a difficult year, we should all be equally thankful for the grit, perseverance and community-mindedness of our area’s business community.  They form the very backbone of our regional economy, employ our friends and neighbors and add significantly to what makes rural Montana a wonderful place to live and raise a family.  Our quality of life is enhanced tremendously by the entrepreneurial spirit of our local business community. 

In turning the calendar to 2021, let’s be as mindful as ever to support our local Main Street businesses.  Every dollar we spend is a reflection on where our priorities lie, and a vote of confidence for our local and regional business community. 

As consumers, we rely on local businesses to provide goods and services when we need them.  Let us do everything we can to assure that these same local businesses can rely on us to support them, especially at a time when it is more important than ever that we help each other, look out for our neighbor, and do what is possible to keep our community economically vibrant and healthy.

Supporting local businesses with our buying decisions means supporting our neighbors and friends.  It means supporting our community and our region.  It also means that in such an unprecedented time that our personal, individual actions can make a big difference.

  With the new year upon us, let’s make and keep a resolution to be part of something much bigger than ourselves, and that is the economic health and wellbeing of rural Montana.

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Paul Tuss is the executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp.; past president of the Montana Economic Developers Association; and board member for the National Association of Development Organizations.