National program supports local businesses

After 85 years in business, St. Charles’ Wasco Nursery and Garden Center knows how to stay competitive, the Geneva Republican reported.

“We get an awful lot of people who come in here and tell us they don’t want to shop at the big box stores,” nursery co-owner Matt Zerby said, noting their nursery grows everything locally. “(Some people) would rather see (plants) locally grown. I think it’s an important thing from a customer perspective.”

While Wasco Nursery is doing relatively well and has been a bright spot for the local economy in a rough economic climate, many locally owned businesses have struggled to stay on their feet.

The 3/50 Project, started by retail consultant Cinda Baxter, encourages communities to help small business regain strength by having residents split at least $50 among three locally owned businesses each month. The project’s Web site quotes a February 2009 U.S. Labor Department statistic saying if half the employed population did this, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue.

“Anything that promotes shopping locally is good for the local economy,” St. Charles Economic Development Coordinator Michael Mertes said. “I’ve spoken with several business owners in the community who think it’s an absolutely wonderful concept.”