La Vida Locavore links that Oregon public schools found that buying local food strengthened the economy, as 87% of the money they spent on local food was recirculated in the local economy — it basically came back to them.
CoolTown Studios links that researchers found that of money spent at locally owned independent businesses in one Chicago neighborhood, 68% was then recirculated in the local economy. As opposed to 43% for chain stores.
My ten-second takeway: patronizing independent locally owned businesses is good for the ‘hood. Buying food from local farms and artisans is even gooder for the ‘hood.