Shopping Local in Gresham
As you know, I have always been a huge fan of “Shopping Local”. I smiled as I saw a post on “Facebook” the other day from my friend Karen Johnston. It stated, “Remember when you asked that small business to support your fundraiser? It’s time to support them. They’re the heart of a town.” Not only does Karen’s business (All About Automotive) support local fundraisers but they are always helping local folks with car repairs (I know how that works). So please remember in all your purchases going forward the need for local businesses to be supported.
Gross Receipts Tax in Oregon
In recent years Oregon (State of) has talked about businesses like they are an Ebenezer Scrooge who only care about money and do not care about their employees. The elected official’s attitude is that business is there just to be taxed and then taxed again. But I am here to tell you businesses are people to. People like Bob and I who invested their savings and then borrowed against all their assets to buy a business. Yes, we are entrepreneurs and want to be successful but there is nobody that cares more about their employees or their community than we do. We hope we have proved that over the years. This pandemic is even more painful for businesses when they are required to pay taxes (like the gross receipts tax CAT or the privilege tax) even when they are losing huge sums of money. Elected officials infer that it is only big businesses that pay these taxes. But that is just not the case. We do not consider Gresham Ford to be WalMart or even close.
Keeping it Local. Keep Gresham Strong.
So, when you shop, think about the people behind those businesses in our neighborhoods. The people that gave up their savings to cover other’s wages and still need to pay their own mortgage and insurance. There are so many businesses right now that could use our help. The beauty salons, restaurants, retailers. And businesses that rely on other businesses like newspapers. Remember all the stores in historic downtown Gresham and all the retail stores in our LOCAL malls. When the time comes for you to spend your hard-earned dollars, please “Save Local Businesses”. They make OUR community better and they are people (your neighbors) too!