Keeping money at home is one of the most important decisions residents can make to support their community, schools, businesses, friends and family.

That's why The Advocate & Democrat is working with local government leaders and businesses to kick off a major Shop at Home campaign designed to support local businesses and help educate Monroe Countians on the importance spending their money here.

While this campaign starts as the holiday shopping season begins, the importance of keeping money local necessitates a Shop at Home drive be stressed year around.

According to figures from the County Trustee's Office, Monroe County as a whole collects more than $8.3 million a year in local option sales tax revenue. That figure includes the local option sales tax collected in the county's four cities and the total for businesses in the county outside any city limits.

"That's money that comes back to the county we can use," Monroe Economic Development Director Shan Harris said.

See full story in the Sunday, Nov. 4, edition of The Advocate & Democrat.