Who is A Culpeper Local
There are approximately 51,000 of us who have chosen to make Culpeper County our home. We live, play, work, eat, shop and go to school here. Those of us who own a home or car, pay Culpeper County and/or Town property taxes. Those of us who have businesses pay Culpeper County and/or Town business license fees and taxes.
But there is one tax we all pay that does not always come back to Culpeper. Did you know that of the 5.3% Virginia State sales tax collected, (5.3 cents on the dollar), one cent is returned to the county in which it was collected? And approximately another penny is returned to that county’s school system?
What does that mean to Culpeper?
For the fiscal year 2018-2019 the County General Fund received approximately $8,114,712, of that amount, $1,579,377 went to the Town Fund, thereby netting the County $6,535,334; and the School Fund received $9,511,475. These millions???…they are a direct result of us spending our dollars in Culpeper County!
We would like to increase those millions by inviting every Culpeper resident to think about where they spend their money. Many of us commute out of Culpeper and tend to spend in other communities, perhaps for convenience or variety. But next time, think about the sales tax you are depositing in some other county’s general fund and school system. If each of the more than 18,000 Culpeper households diverted $50 a week already being spent outside of Culpeper County, and purchased those same products inside of Culpeper County, it could potentially generate thousands more annually to be applied to Culpeper services.
The site is sponsored by Culpeper Department of Economic Development, Culpeper Renaissance Inc.(CRI), and Culpeper Tourism and Economic Development. Check out who’s a local participating Culpeper business.
Top Six Reasons to Shop, Eat, Enjoy Locally
Keep Dollars in Culpeper’s Economy
In addition to the return of a portion of Virginia sales tax, as described above, studies have shown that for every $100 spent in a locally owned business, $48 stays and circulates in the community. When you spend a dollar, consider the value of your choice, to yourself and to your community.
Appreciate What Makes Culpeper’s Shopping and Dining Scene Unique
Culpeper is a healthy mix of independent, locally owned businesses and national chain stores. The main shopping and dining opportunities are laid out in a simple pattern: North, Downtown and South making an easy trip from one site to another; there is even a trolley service connecting the areas. The mix of services, shops and dining offer a wide variety of choices to our community.
Help Create Local Jobs
Studies show that local businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better than average wages. Next time you stop for bread and milk, take a look at who’s serving you; it could be your neighbor’s son working behind that counter. The success of locally owned business provides real-life inspiration to our young people, proving they can stay in Culpeper and prosper on their own terms. In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character are more likely to attract entrepreneurs and new investment.
Conserve Your Time; Be Kind to The Environment
Why buy 6 gallons of gas to sit in 2 hours of traffic? By shopping in Culpeper you can save time and money to enjoy a meal or a movie and less driving reduces your carbon footprint.
Strengthen Your Community
Local businesses can be owned and managed by people who live in the community and are committed to investing in Culpeper’s future. Studies have found that locally owned businesses consistently contribute to charitable causes. These owners frequently join local civic groups, serve on local boards, attend public meetings and volunteer their time, expertise, services and merchandise to community causes.
Exercise Your Choices
In a marketplace of thousands of products, your Culpeper businesses select and filter products and services based on local needs and desires, guaranteeing a more diverse range of choices. Local businesses will often match competitor’s prices. Local owners tend to have a greater interest in getting to know their customers—who are, after all, also their neighbors. Simply put, local owners and employees take a special pride in their businesses.