Community Developments

With the holidays approaching it’s time to start thinking of gift shopping.  Of course, when it comes to shopping the best strategy is to shop small, supporting the wide variety of locally-owned business across the valley to keep our dollars in the pockets of our friends and neighbors.

If you want to stretch the value of every dollar you spend, in addition to shopping small you can drive small: take advantage of transportation options that allow you to get where you need to go, but with a lot fewer miles on your own car.  By doing things like walking to the local shops, taking the bus to a lunch date, or carpooling to work with friends, you can cut your transportation expenses in half – meaning more money to support or local businesses.

The impact of driving small isn’t just about saving money – it’s keeping money here in the Roanoke valley.  Did you know that about 90% of what we spend on every gallon of gas leaves our local economy?  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, here’s how the cost of a gallon of gas breaks down:

• 20% taxes
• 19% distribution and marketing
• 15% refining
• 47% crude oil

About half of what is paid in taxes goes to the Federal gas tax, so really only a little over 10% stays around in the form of state and local taxes.  Fully 81% of what you spend on a gallon of gas leaves not only the local economy, but Virginia in some way.  Even more importantly, that 47% dedicated to crude oil – much of that is probably leaving the country altogether.

When you save money on your transportation costs by using options like carpooling, bicycling, and taking the bus, that means more money in your pocket – and more money to spend at the amazing local restaurants, shops, and attractions right here in central and southwest Virginia.  And every dollar you spend here is more likely to stay here and get spent again and again – about half of every dollar spent at a local business is reinvested locally, versus 14% spent at a chain store.

What are some ways you can drive small to help support the valley’s economy?  Here are a few ideas:

• Carpool to work with your coworkers on Mondays, then use what you save to take everyone to lunch at a local restaurant.
• Buy a monthly bus pass for commuting and other trips.  Take what you’ll save to visit a local bookstore and buy some reading material for your rides.
• Walk or bike to your neighborhood grocery store rather than driving to a big box store.  Use what you’ll save to splurge on a local craft brew.
• Bike with your family to a local show – saving money on gas and supporting live music.

The holiday shopping season may be over, but your commute takes place every day.  So, along with shopping small, consider driving small – this winter, and all through the year!

For more information visit ridesolutions.org to explore your transportation options.