Some of the
industries that are being "stimulated" are in need some of serious
overhauling on a systemic level – the kind of changes that can't be
solved overnight by throwing money at them. On the other hand, for
communities and regions that have been fiscally responsible over the
last couple of years and have been bracing for the worst, like
Somerville has, every little bit will help.

There will be just
enough pain to realize that this is for real, but not so much that it
will be catastrophic to the local economy. Programs like Somerville
Local First are just what a city like Somerville needs – a way for
people here, today, to spend their very hard earned money here, today.

It
only makes sense – why drive over to Medford to go food shopping or to
go to dinner? Buy your groceries here – and there are certainly enough
restaurants around, aren't there?

We applaud organizations like
Somerville Local First and urge every local business owner to get on
board and listen to what they have to say – and to those people who
live here – please stay here, spend your money you are going to spend
elsewhere in a local business.