The Case for Local

What "Buy Local"
Actually Means

Most people support the idea. Very few understand what actually happens to the money after they spend it.

Think of money like water flowing through your neighborhood.

MONEY STAYS LOCAL MONEY FLOWS AWAY
only 14¢ remains
48¢ STAYS & RECIRCULATES
86¢ LEAVES IMMEDIATELY
Wages · jobs · suppliers · tax base · growth Growth slows · Jobs leave · Community weakens

Backed by Research

The difference is real
and well-documented.

48¢
Of every dollar spent at a locally owned business recirculates in the local economy (wages, suppliers, taxes).
14¢
Of every dollar spent at a national chain or platform stays local. The rest leaves almost immediately.

Source: American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), and Civic Economics studies across multiple U.S. cities.

That 34-cent difference per dollar is what ReinvestLife is built to protect. At scale, it becomes the difference between thriving neighborhoods and declining ones.

Our Projection for Northeast Ohio

What this could mean
at the network level.

$251 million
Projected regional economic impact over 3 years — dollars retained locally that would have otherwise left through national platforms.
11.7×
For every $1 ReinvestLife earns, roughly $11.70 stays in the local economy that would have otherwise left.

This is a working projection model based on established research and reasonable assumptions. It has not yet been independently audited. We welcome economists, universities, and policy experts to challenge and improve it. Reach out if that's you.