Business students learn advantages of local shopping

When a Saline County resident considers where to shop they often times don't consider the cost of gas to and from Marion and Carbondale. When they shop Online they often don't factor in the cost of shipping.

Most notably the contributions and service of local retailers to the local community are totally overlooked.

In a two-day class for high School business students Susan Odum and Nancy Lambert of the University of Illinois Extension explained the fine points of shopping with the total benefits to the community in mind.

According to the Extension teachers, local businesses can order what they don't have readily in stock and deliver it in a few days. They don't charge shipping like many online retailers and they provide support for the local programs that the out of town retailers do not. Marion and Carbondale stores do not buy yearbook ads, sports program ads and provide monetary support in other ways for the local community.

The Extension teachers were encouraging students to look at the bigger picture and shop locally whenever possible. They said this aids the economic development of the local community.

Students responded to this message by making posters which shared what they had learned in two days Tuesday.