Independent gas/convenience stores are good for communities

We all work hard to make our communities strong.

Did you know that eight out of 10 petroleum retailers in Wisconsin are independent businesses?

They're small business owners, contributing to the well-being of their communities in many ways, translating to more than $40 billion in community support each and every year.

Your locally owned, independent gas and convenience-store neighbors are often blamed for uncontrollable factors that determine gas prices. Retailers are not responsible for these rising costs, which are being controlled by excessive speculation, a weakening U.S. dollar and limited supply.

In fact, record crude oil prices are just as frustrating to independent gas station and convenience store owners as they are to consumers. Between record-high gas prices and mega-retailers trying to eliminate the laws that keep competition going strong, petroleum retailers are feeling a tremendous amount of pressure at the pump these days.

Keeping communities strong means supporting Main Street businesses that find themselves in the middle of an extremely volatile market.

Small businesses are the engines that keep Wisconsin communities strong and growing. And, they bring many benefits to our communities -- more jobs, more money spent locally and yes, lower gas prices.

Consider this:

• Money spent local, stays local. Locally owned businesses keep profits circulating within the local economy. In fact, locally owned businesses generate 70 percent more local economic impact per square foot than chain stores. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community. In contrast, for every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back into the community.
• More than 90 percent of the 2,700 gas and convenience stores in Wisconsin have fewer than 20 employees. Many are family owned and operated.
• Close to 60 percent of convenience stores with gas are one-store operations.
• Last year, nearly 24,000 people were employed in the industry.
• According to the 2002 Census (most recent data), the industry generates more than $325 million in payroll that is circulating through Wisconsin's local communities.
• Each locally owned, independent business delivers at least three times the economic impact of spending by national chains in the same communities.

Independent businesses are good for your communities. They keep competition going strong and give consumers a choice.

It's in everyone's best interest to get involved because what's good for our communities is good for Wisconsin.

Matt Hauser is president of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.