The holiday season saw our neighbors being locavores and loca-shoppers in numbers large enough to give local businesses a much-needed boost. Whether you chalk it up to the unseasonably warm and dry weather, the benefit of marketing campaigns like Shop Small Saturday, or perhaps the social awakening of consumers to the benefits of shopping local, things were definitely hopping on and off Chestnut at neighborhood restaurants and shops as we rang out 2011.

As we ring in 2012, its time to make a few resolutions. One simple thing that everyone can do to effect change for the better is make a commitment to continue to shop locally. Sure, it’s easy to just go online and order that new toy for the kids, a book from Amazon, a few bottles of wine, and hey, most of the time there’s no tax! But when we walk down to our local store to buy the exact same item, not only do the sales taxes we pay go toward vital state and local services, but the dollars you spend generate local jobs, even more state and local revenue, and ultimately end up being reinvested in our community. One simple act of shopping at your local merchant results in a local cascade effect that improves everyone’s quality of life!

In the year ahead is the looming promise of the America’s Cup World Series in August, which should provide a boost in the local economy as well as a glimpse of things to come for the America’s Cup Challenger and Final series in 2013. In November 2011, Supervisor Farrell, the Office of Small Business, the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) and the S.F. Council of District Merchants Associations hosted an informational meeting at the Golden Gate Yacht Club for District 2 merchants to learn about business opportunities during the America’s Cup. All are working in concert to ensure that local businesses are able to take advantage of this phenomenal event, which is the third largest sporting event in the world, smaller only than the Olympics and soccer’s World Cup. The potential of $1.9 billion in local revenue for the challenger and final series alone has a lot of local businesses gearing up to succeed – and perhaps get out from under some debt – come 2013. The ACEA is committed to contracting with local businesses for everything from construction of the many event venues to the production of souvenirs. Making that kind of commitment to local businesses speaks to the ACEA’s dedication to seeing this event as more than just a successful competition for the sailing community – they want to make it a success for and investment in our local community as well. While the first step in making the America’s Cup on the Bay a reality was realized with the Planning Commission’s approval of the event EIR this past December, there still remain numerous hurdles ahead to make sure this event is a success for all.

In the meantime, we can all do our part to ensure the success of our local economy by continuing to think globally but shopping locally. Here’s wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous New Year!