Why Buying Local Matters: Strengthening Communities This Holiday Season
November 2025
The Community Futures BC blog is also regularly featured in the Business Examiner Digital Magazine.
Buy Local and the Role of Community Futures in Supporting B.C. Entrepreneurs
As the holiday season approaches, British Columbians are encouraged to think local when shopping, dining, and investing. Supporting local businesses isn’t just about convenience, it’s about strengthening the communities we live in.
Across the province, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for the majority of private-sector jobs, playing a crucial role in B.C.’s economy. When residents choose to buy local, the impact goes far beyond individual transactions. Choosing to buy local helps keep money circulating in our communities, strengthens local employment, and sustains the unique character of towns and cities across B.C.
Why Buying Local Is More Important Than Ever
Global supply chains continue to face disruption and rising costs have made it harder for businesses and consumers alike. Choosing to buy local helps mitigate those challenges by keeping resources circulating closer to home. Local businesses often source materials, hire staff, and reinvest in their own communities. That creates a ripple effect of economic and social benefits that multinational chains simply cannot replicate.
To help both businesses and consumers make local choices easier, Community Futures ensures that local entrepreneurs have access to the training, tools, and visibility they need to remain competitive, and the B.C. government offers the BuyBC logo, a recognizable brand that identifies agricultural goods produced in the province. Businesses can apply for and use this logo to showcase their local roots, whether on packaging, signage, or marketing campaigns.
For consumers, the logo provides confidence that they are directly supporting local producers and service providers. For eligible businesses, it’s an effective way to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, especially during the busy holiday shopping season.
A Shared Responsibility
Supporting local businesses is a collective effort. For consumers, it’s about making choices that keep money close to home. For entrepreneurs, it’s about accessing resources that ensure their businesses remain strong and sustainable. And for organizations like Community Futures, it’s about making sure those resources are available, accessible, and tailored to the unique needs of rural and remote communities.
Looking Ahead
As November shines a spotlight on the importance of buying local, Community Futures BC reminds entrepreneurs that they don’t have to face challenges alone. With workshops, webinars, one-on-one consulting and specialized programs, the 34 Community Futures offices across the province are committed to helping businesses succeed during the holidays and well into the future.
For more information on Community Futures’ services and the Resource Hub, visit www.communityfutures.ca
With tailored advice and practical resources, Community Futures ensures that SMEs have the support they need to succeed, not just during the holiday season, but year-round.
Community Futures: Helping Local Businesses Compete and Thrive
Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC), with its 34 offices across the province, continues to be a strong partner for entrepreneurs in rural and remote communities.
Community Futures offers a wide range of services designed to strengthen small businesses, including:
- Workshops and Webinars: Covering topics such as financial management, digital marketing, strategic planning, and leadership, these sessions provide entrepreneurs with practical skills they can apply immediately.
- Business Consulting: One-on-one support from experienced advisors who help business owners develop plans, overcome challenges, and identify opportunities for growth.
- The Resource Hub: A dedicated set of webpages with free tools, templates, and guidance to support businesses at every stage, from start-up through expansion.
- Specialized Programs: Including Export Navigator, which helps businesses explore and enter new markets, and the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), which offers tailored coaching and resources for entrepreneurs who self-identify as having a disability or face barriers to traditional employment.
