According to calculations by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and Orange County Economic Development Commission, when Orange County residents 16 years or older spend $200 more in Orange County, rather than online or elsewhere, local sales rise by more than two percent. That two percent rise equates to about $500,000 in sales tax revenue that can fund as many as 10 local police officers or teachers.

You don't need to increase your spending, but rather redirect it to the businesses close to where you live, work and play.

Chamber Nation makes it easy for people to do that in person or online through the Chamber of Commerce.