Buying products from local businesses was the focus of a news conference held Monday at Hanson Tire Co. in Albert Lea. Minnesota 2020, a nonpartisan think tank held a news conference to emphasize the importance of buying locally, especially during the Christmas shopping season.

In the retail world of big box stores and Internet sales, why should consumers make a special effort to shop at businesses in the towns where they live? Addressing those questions and more was Matt Entenza, board chairman and founder of Minnesota 2020. Entenza was in town to promote “Made in Minnesota 2008” a holiday shopping guide featuring Minnesota-made products.

Also in attendance at the event were Laura Haubrich, a graduate research fellow with Minnesota 2020, Dan Dorman of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, and Randy Kehr of the Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. Dorman’s family owns Hanson Tire.

Standing in front of a display table showing goods produced by Minnesota companies, Entenza stressed the value that buying locally has for the greater community.

“Every dollar that consumers spend in their local communities sends 68 cents back into the local economy. For every dollar spent at a national chain only 43 cents returns to our local communities,” Entenza said.

The economy of the Midwest is struggling, a reflection of our country’s continuing economic woes. New product orders in Minnesota and surrounding states dropped 14 percent in October, and production at plants dropped almost 13 percent, according to the Mid-America Business Conditions report by Creighton University.

Haubrich talked about some of the Minnesota made products displayed at the event, including Will Steeger mukluks, wine from the Morgan Creek vineyards in New Ulm, wooden toys from the BEKA co. of St. Paul, buffalo hide wallets from Worthington, marshmallow products from St. Peter, and vodka, produced as the byproduct of an ethanol plant in Benson.

All these items and many more are available through the gift guide, available through the Internet at: www.mn2020.org/giftguide.

Kehr said he has no problem with people browsing the Internet looking for Christmas gifts, but asked them to stop and think before they buy.

“If you check at local businesses you may find that you can get high-quality merchandise at reasonable prices,” Kehr said.

Fast, reliable service on locally purchased goods was also emphasized by Kehr as a reason to shop locally.

“Having service available in your own hometown is one of the best reasons to shop right here. They know you and can respond quickly,” he said.

Dorman stressed the dependence local businesses have on reliable, repeat customers who live and work in the area.

“Those retailers help support our community with some of the money they make. Whether it’s the YMCA, the United Way or local sports programs, these businesses give back to the community. Our dollars have greater impact if they are spent here,” Dorman said.

It’s easy to criticize local business, but Dorman emphasized that local businesses are part of our area’s core strength.

“Sure we’ve had our share of problems with real estate and other things. Our financial institutions were not really affected by the sub-prime loan crisis. We are doing OK, but it’s important to remember the importance of supporting our businesses, if we are going to keep it that way,” Dorman said.