The streets of downtown Bowling Green are packed this evening, a conglomeration of people young and old experiencing a night on the town. It may not be their intention, but these consumers are strengthening their community by spending money.

Over the years, businesses have come and gone, but a large majority have stood the test of time in Bowling Green and need continued support of the community to hold their place in a tough economy.

Barbara Ruland is the Director of Downtown BG, an organization that strengthens the local business community by promoting downtown business, performing physical maintenance and preserving the historical character of the area.

“It’s amazing to me how big an impact we can have as consumers on the health of the local economy,” Ruland said.

Ruland has been reviewing studies on the effect of local shopping on local economies along with Wood County sales tax figures, and she has discovered a simple formula that could greatly improve the downtown economy.

“The formula says that when you spend your dollars with local merchants, there’s like a 32 percent premium for the local economy over spending those exact same dollars with a chain store,” Ruland said.

She went on to stress the importance of a consumer’s role in the local economy.

“If everybody in Wood County just took 10 percent of the money they are spending anyway, and made sure they spent that 10 percent with a local merchant, that would create an extra $8 million circulating through our local economy,” Ruland said.

Business owners know how important it is to get the backing of the community, but consumers may not be aware how large a role they play in this equation.

Greg Halamay owns Finders Records, a business that has been a staple of downtown Bowling Green since 1971.

He understands the value of having strong ties with the people of Bowling Green.

“I think awareness of locally run and operated businesses is a real key element for anyone living in a community,” Halamay said. “Supporting your local economy, means supporting your local businesses.”

It’s the people in the area who are largely responsible for the success of local businesses.

Geoff Schwab gets a first-hand taste of the social scene downtown, working his days behind the bar at Beckett’s.

Schwab says people need to give back by making most of their purchases from the small businesses who have kept this town running for so many years.

“Keep spending money here. Buy from small businesses,” Schwab said. “Keep the money in BG.”