“For every $1 spent at a local business, 45 cents is reinvested locally,” wrote Yes Magazine. “For every $1 spent at a corporate chain, only 15 cents is reinvested locally.”

As consumers, we all know and understand the convenience of occasionally utilizing a chain department or grocery store as a “one stop shop” for errands; these places save time and sometimes money. Despite their inherent convenience, few people truly understand the impact that these types of buying habits and behavior can have, not only on our economy nationwide, but on a more concentrated, local level as well. When we spend at corporations that have no ties back to our local communities, there is typically little to no local benefit.

This reinvestment by local independent businesses is part of the very bright side of this story. Additionally, evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service at locally owned businesses. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which results in a higher standard of service. Successful independent shops help to build the distinctive character of a community through their unique shopping experiences and product lines. In turn, traffic patterns associated to successful retail districts attract more in the way of private and public sector services for better consumer conveniences.

As Pat Ryan, chairman of the board of Hopewell Valley Community Bank (HVCBank) said, “Small businesses are very much the life blood of a community. They are the ones that will go out of their way and coach a sports team, run a book club, and sponsor charitable events on a continuing basis over the years, and supporting them only makes the community a better place to live.”

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation’s voice for community banks, had this to say…”Many people don’t realize community banks are a local business too, so they understand the needs and day-to-day operations of small business owners. Community banks focus their attention on the needs of local small businesses, farmers and families. Since keeping their local communities vibrant and growing are important to community bankers, community banks will often channel most of their loans into neighborhoods where their depositors live and work.”

Supporting local business is exactly what Hopewell Valley Community Bank has done for over 15 years.

Jim Hyman, president and CEO of HVCBank, shared the meaningfulness of his 50+ year banking career in a recent article published in the Hopewell Valley News. “There’s a local, family owned service company,” Mr. Hyman recalled, “that a few years ago really got caught up in the fallout from the 2007 residential mortgage, and general economic, collapse. Their financial strength had been shattered. They had carried themselves through four years of the recession and couldn’t grow. Some of their own customers had also crashed with the economy. The way this unfolded goes to why I love community banking. The owner of this business was well-known as someone of personal integrity and professional skill. We got together with them and approved a restructuring of their loans and balance sheet in a way that would allow them to continue to operate. Under this restructuring, we paid off a loan they had with another bank and gave them a line of credit. Today, they’re doing very well and they’re outstanding customers of ours.”

Leaders of an organization determine its direction. It is evident from the reputation HVCBank has built over the past 15 years that its leaders, Pat Ryan and Jim Hyman, have guided the locally owned and managed, full service, FDIC insured commercial bank to achievements in financial excellence and community leadership. Ultimately the success and growth of the local economy by supporting local businesses and individuals is the heart and soul of HVCBank. There are ten banking offices conveniently located in Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, a loan production office in Toms River and a fully interactive website at HVCBonline.com. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Consider supporting your local economy by becoming a part of the Hopewell Valley Community Bank community. If you live local, then buy local and Bank Local with HVCBank. For information please visit HVCBonline.com.