'Tis the season to lower those bank balances, swipe those credit cards and shop until you can't shop anymore -- all in the name of spreading Christmas cheer.
It's a retailer's favorite season. The stores are bustling with folks picking out just the right presents for their loved ones and waiting patiently (or frustratedly) in long lines to pay for those items.
Something to bear in mind during this holiday season, where those transactions occur can have a major impact on the community.
I think most will agree it's best to keep dollars locally as much as possible.
After all, when we shop local, we're supporting local businesses, our neighbors and family members in some cases. Tax money stays here, allowing support for local services ranging from police and fire protection to parks and recreation and even utilities.
Small businesses are a vital part of any community and they depend on local patronage to keep their doors open.
One of my goals this year is to buy as many presents as possible from local vendors, the very ones that allow local families to put food on the table and give to charities that serve the needy in our area.
I'm sure there are a few specialty items that will have to come from out of town, but by and large, I'm hopeful that the majority can be purchased right here in Blytheville.
------
Now I'll be the first to say we could use a few more retail choices. One would be hard-pressed to argue otherwise. But there are probably more opportunities here than we realize, if we were able to look through an outsider's eyes.
I was surprised to see the results of a study by the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development, which shows Blytheville is a regional hub, drawing in folks from other areas who shop and eat here.
According to the study, Retail Potential for Blytheville is $119,471,433, while retail sales are $199,505,754, a gap of minus $80,034,321.
Retail Potential is an estimate of the amount of monies spent by consumers that reside within a specified geography. Spending may occur both locally and elsewhere.
Retail Sales is defined as the amount of sales by consumers within and from outside the geography.
Gap is the difference in demand and supply. Negative numbers indicate a surplus; positive numbers reflect a leakage.
The county shows a retail leakage of $9,347,753, according to the study.
That data should be encouraging to Blytheville leaders and maybe make them work even more diligently in the area of retail development.
------
Even if there's never another business to locate on East Highway 18 -- an unlikely scenario by the way -- traffic is heavy enough to justify a traffic light in front of Walmart right now. As growth continues east of town, the need will be even greater. Maybe the Highway Department could simply move the light at Second and Ash to East Highway 18.
Already unnecessary now, the Second and Ash light will become completely useless when the overpass project is finished in the next several months. I'm not sure about the logistics, but the logical place for a light is out east.
------
I hope Gene Henton will accept this public apology for misspelling his last name in last week's column, and in a front page story to boot. A local group is hoping to honor the longtime educator by renaming Marguerite Street to "Gene Henton Drive." He has every right to think I'm a dope (I'm sure he's not alone, but I digress).
That's one of those blunders that I'll have trouble living down.
Again, sorry Mr. Henton. Good luck with the street sign. If successful, I hope the sign-maker is better skilled with spelling last names than I am.
mbrasfield@courienews.net