Belief Begins with Buying Local

Buying Local is an Act of Belief

A Personal Introduction

At AREA 81, we’re building something rooted in belief — belief that rural entrepreneurship not only matters, but holds the key to our region’s future.

We’re not fully established yet, but the vision is clear: a thriving, collaborative entrepreneurship and venture development ecosystem that turns bold ideas into enduring businesses, right here in Grey and Bruce (to start).

Our Belief Capital campaign, and this blog post, are part of laying that foundation. Because belief needs more than inspiration — it needs practice.

And one of the most powerful ways we can all practice belief in our region’s future is simple: buy local.

Why Local Matters Now More Than Ever

Canada’s rural entrepreneurs are up against more than just startup and scaleup stress.

They face systemic gaps in funding, infrastructure, and support — what some call the “missing middle” between innovation and market success.

And there's that certain someone south of the border that thinks we're "nasty".

While urban centres draw venture capital and public programs, our rural innovators are often left to bootstrap their ideas in isolation. Yet, when a community steps in with belief — not just in words, but in action — that gap begins to close.

Buying local isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a vote of confidence. It’s economic development in real-time.

And it’s one of the most immediate, accessible ways to support belief capital right here in Grey and Bruce Counties.

The Economic Power of Local

When you buy local, your money doesn’t just exchange hands — it changes outcomes.

According to research from LOCO BC and Vancity, a dollar spent at a local independent business recirculates in the community 3.1 times more than the same dollar spent at a multinational. When that multinational is online-only, the local impact of your purchase can be up to 107 times greater with a local business.

This isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a lever for economic resilience. Local businesses hire local talent, source services and supplies locally, and give back through philanthropy and community involvement. That’s not abstract. That’s rent paid, jobs sustained, and futures made — right here.

Both Grey County and Bruce County have identified Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) as a strategic priority. Buying local is one of the most direct and democratic ways to act on that goal. It gives existing businesses the revenue they need to grow, adapt, and stay.

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RELATED: Grey't Reset: Grey County | Bruce County Economic Development Update, April 2025 | Grey County Ad Advisory Committee Meeting, June 2025

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Every transaction becomes a tool for transformation. When we buy local, we don’t just keep businesses open — we help them expand, innovate, and lead.

The Environmental Case for Buying Local

Local purchases aren’t just economically sound — they’re environmentally smart.

According to LOCO BC and Offsetters’ greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis, local goods produce between 5% and 66% fewer emissions than comparable imported products. That’s a meaningful difference — whether it’s a locally milled loaf of bread, a locally grown basket of blueberries, or a gravel bike built to last.

Buying local means shorter supply chains, less transportation, and more thoughtful production. Local retailers and producers often adopt practices that reduce waste, extend product life cycles, and emphasize environmental stewardship. Some reuse packaging, others donate unsold goods, and many build product lines designed for durability and repair.

Bruce and Grey Counties have both identified clean technology, agriculture, and sustainable development as strategic pillars of their economic future. Supporting local businesses is one way to bring those priorities to life — not someday, but today.

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RELATED: Green Ribbon Panel: 2024 Progress and Initiatives

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Every time you choose the closer option, the greener product, or the business that reinvests in place, you’re reducing emissions and reinforcing a system that values sustainability over scale.

Community Wealth is Built Locally

Economic development isn’t just about balance sheets — it’s about belonging.

When we talk about “belief capital,” we’re talking about more than trust. We’re talking about an ecosystem that helps entrepreneurs take risks, recover from setbacks, and turn small wins into sustainable impact. That kind of belief shows up through peer mentorship, community encouragement, and early customers who choose the unproven option because they see the person behind it.

AREA 81 exists to build that kind of infrastructure, ecosystem and sense of belonging for and with other entrepreneurs and those that support them. Not just programs, webinars or workshops — but relationships, norms, and networks that create the conditions for long-term success. Founder led, founder first, founder funded.

We’re here to help close the gap between the idea and the launch, and between the launch and the next leap.

This is what real community wealth looks like: local ventures supported by local belief, local capital, and local collaboration. It’s how we keep our dollars, our talent, and our momentum circulating in the region.

We don’t have to wait for outside investment to build what we need. We can start by investing in each other.

What You Can Do

Buying local isn’t just about spending — it’s about choosing.

Every time you choose a local producer, artist, grocer, brewer, retailer, service provider, designer, or builder, you choose to invest in someone who’s investing in your community.

Here’s how you can start today:

• Shift your spending: Start with one category — groceries, gifts, or services — and commit to sourcing it locally.

• Join local directories and groups: Many Grey and Bruce entrepreneurs list on community platforms. Find them, follow them, and refer them.

• Attend local markets and events: Your presence matters. It brings life, feedback, and revenue.

• Tell your story: Share why you buy local and highlight businesses that reflect your values. 

• Join AREA 81: Whether you’re an entrepreneur, mentor, or community champion, your engagement helps shape our ecosystem. You can learn more and join here. You can check out our content library too.

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We’re building something here — and we’re building it together. Buying local is a belief in what we are becoming. Let’s keep it going.