I am a Downtown Dork and I am proud of it!

My name is Emily and I love downtowns! I love locally owned, independent businesses. I literally get sick in the stomach when someone tells me they are headed to Sam's Club. And I get very offended when people say there is no where to shop in our small town. It isn't just that managing a downtown revitalization program is my job, though that is part of it. And it isn't just that I was born and raised in a small historic community, though that is part of it too. I think I am a downtown dork because I truly feel it is important. It is important to our towns. It is important to our business owners. It is important to our quality of life. So, I have made this blog to talk about why shopping local is important and to try and demonstrate the impact that local spending has on our communities. I have no idea where it will lead, but I feel driven to put it out there. So, I hope you read it. I hope you follow it. And I hope that somehow I can make a difference.