SHOP LAKELAND!

Recent area events and comments emphasize the importance of where Lakeland residents shop.

I have heard several comments about how nearby City residents “pay for the services” provided by that City. That is partially correct, but Lakeland residents (and other visitors) contribute a healthy amount when purchasing goods and services from businesses located in other Shelby County cities! Each City gets the sales taxes from the businesses located in their city, so Lakeland (and Shelby County) residents DO contribute a healthy amount of revenue to city services in other cities by the sales tax and user charges.

I encourage Lakeland residents to “shop Lakeland” whenever possible and keep your sales tax dollars working in Lakeland. While Lakeland businesses are still limited, retail will continue to develop. We continue to encourage “quality” commercial development in Lakeland. We do not feel the residents should sacrifice their quality of life for new commercial or residential development.

Lakeland has several excellent businesses, including (but not limited to) Crackerbarrel, Lennys, Zaxby’s , Kroger, Sonic, Howards Donuts, TWO Subways, Stonebridge Golf Course, the UPS Store, Auto Zone, Gateway Tire, Back Yard Burger, Walgreens, Tiger (and other) Cleaners, Hertz car rental, Enterprise Car Rental, Trustmark Bank, Club Windward, VF Stores, Old Time Pottery, and numerous others. This is only a small fraction of businesses in Lakeland.

You can fulfill a lot of your needs right here in Lakeland! (See www.Lakelandtn.gov for the list of all Lakeland businesses.)

As retail businesses develop, I encourage Lakeland residents to support new and existing retail businesses in Lakeland. If we demonstrate our support, this will only encourage additional businesses. Also, support the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, which is doing an excellent job of promoting Lakeland businesses. See www.LakelandChamberofCommerce.com for information and membership forms.

By developing Lakeland businesses, we can continue to strengthen our public services infrastructure to serve our residents and visitors to Lakeland, instead of subsidizing public services in other cities. We will appreciate you doing business in Lakeland!