The Importance of Restaurants to Local Community

In an increasingly complicated economic reality, restaurants are a stronghold of local communities. The restaurant industry fosters regional job growth, supports local agriculture and keeps your hard-earned money in your community. When you choose to shop or dine at a local business or restaurant, you generate almost four times more economic benefits for your local community. Choose a local restaurant and make memories while supporting your hometown’s economic development.

Benefits of Restaurants:

Local restaurants are an impactful gathering place for communities, where relationships form and memories are made. They preserve agriculture and recipes from generation to generation and are the lifeblood of regional food culture. When you choose to dine at a local restaurant, you invest your money right back into the hands of your community and preserve local recipes and agriculture.

The benefits of a restaurant don’t end there, either. Local eateries have a big impact on all of the following factors.

Local Taxes

Approximately 10% of America’s economy is affected by the restaurant industry alone, which is a massive financial power. When you choose to support local restaurants, you’re putting those funds toward strengthening your hometown. Eating at local restaurants allows them to stay open and thrive in your area. As a result, the restaurants’ tax revenue will benefit your local economy.

Local Jobs

Restaurants are an industry that is continually hiring and creating new jobs. The restaurant industry employs as much as 10% of the American workforce, so spending your money at a local restaurant goes straight into feeding members of your community. The restaurant industry is also currently creating new middle-class jobs at three times the growth of any other industry. Local restaurants are community cornerstones where many young people get their first jobs and where adults begin fulfilling careers.

Agriculture

As food becomes more mass-produced and imported from other countries, local varieties of produce begin dying out and the American agriculture sector takes a hit. Local restaurants promote regional produce production and help farms near you. Eating at a local restaurant gives you the opportunity to taste the most delicious ingredients your area has to offer. Local restaurants may even switch out their menus regularly to highlight seasonal produce.

Support Your Local Community With #CVEats

Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is shedding some light on the importance of restaurants within our local community. It is now more important than ever to choose local eateries so they can continue to serve our community for years to come. Even if you can’t dine indoors, consider:

Ordering food for curbside pickup.
Dining outside and enjoying nature.
Purchasing merchandise or gift cards.
Seeing if your favorite spot offers catering and meal kits.

To learn more ways to support local restaurants in your community, download our #CVEats Menu Checklist. Explore our list of restaurants in Cumberland Valley and discover your new favorite spot to takeout or dine in today!