Every dollar spent at a business in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury or Stowe tells a story. When you rent equipment from a national chain, those dollars leave Vermont for corporate headquarters and distant shareholders. When you rent from Peakline Rental & Repair, those dollars stay in Central Vermont – paying local wages, supporting local suppliers and strengthening our regional economy.  

To see how this choice has measurable economic impact across Washington County, Lamoille County and throughout Central Vermont, we took a look at studies conducted across the U.S. And hopefully, you will see why renting heavy equipment from a local Vermont business is better than from the big rental chains.

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By the Numbers: Renting Local Wins

The economic impact of choosing local businesses has been studied extensively. The findings consistently show that money spent at locally owned businesses circulates through the community multiple times, creating what economists call the multiplier effect.  

Here in Vermont, a Rutland Herald analysis found that for every $100 spent at a locally owned Vermont business, roughly $68 stays within the community. Compare that to just $43 when the same $100 is spent at a national chain. That's a 58% difference in local economic impact, meaning local businesses keep substantially more money circulating in Vermont.

The American Independent Business Alliance agrees: money spent at locally owned independents recirculates in the local economy two to four times more than money spent at non-local firms.

Even outside of Vermont, the research shows that choosing small businesses is better for the local economy. The University of Minnesota Duluth found in a study that 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores. This means small independent businesses return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the local economy than chain competitors.

For contractors and property owners in Central Vermont, these numbers matter. Choosing Peakline Rental over a national chain means your equipment rental dollar generates substantially more economic activity in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury, Stowe and throughout the region.

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How the Multiplier Effect Works in Central Vermont

The multiplier effect happens because local businesses make local purchasing decisions. When you rent equipment from Peakline, here's how your dollars circulate through Central Vermont's economy:

• Local payroll: We employ Central Vermont residents who earn Vermont wages and spend them at Burlington shops, Barre restaurants, Montpelier service providers, and businesses throughout the region.

• Local suppliers: We purchase parts, maintenance services, and supplies from Vermont vendors whenever possible, creating interconnected business relationships.

• Local professional services: We use Vermont accountants, lawyers, insurance agents, and other service providers.

• Local taxes: Our property and business taxes fund schools, roads, and services in Washington County and Lamoille County.

• Community investment: As local residents, we support youth sports, civic organizations, and community causes throughout Central Vermont.

• Reinvestment in equipment: When we expand our Bobcat fleet, we're investing in Central Vermont's infrastructure and capability.

Each transaction generates another. Economists describe this as dollars passing between hands multiple times, each circulation generating income, wealth and jobs in the community. The faster money circulates locally, the more economic benefit it creates.

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Where National Chain Dollars Go (Spoiler: Out of Vermont)

When you rent from national chains, the economic pattern differs dramatically. Here's where your money goes:

• Corporate profits leave immediately: Earnings flow to out-of-state headquarters and get distributed to shareholders nationwide or globally.

• Purchasing decisions made elsewhere: National chains source equipment, parts and supplies through corporate contracts, bypassing Vermont vendors.

• Limited local autonomy: Management decisions come from headquarters. Local branches function as “order takers” with minimal authority to support community initiatives.

• Lower local wages: Research consistently shows that national retail chains generally pay lower wages and offer fewer benefits compared to locally owned businesses.

Studies from Vermont, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, California, and Virginia found that new chain retail stores derive 84% or more of their sales from existing local businesses. This means that they don't necessarily create substantially new economic activity; instead, they shift spending from local owners to corporate shareholders.

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Real Economic Impact: Jobs and Community Strength

The local multiplier effect translates directly into jobs and economic stability for Central Vermont. Consider what the research shows:

• Job creation: Small businesses create the majority of new jobs in America. Research shows that up to 90% of net new jobs in the U.S. are created by locally owned businesses.

• Higher local employment multiplier: Because local businesses source more goods and services locally, they create indirect employment throughout the supply chain.

• Economic resilience: Communities with diverse local business sectors weather economic downturns better than those dependent on a few large employers. Local owners stay committed even during difficult times.

For Central Vermont specifically, this means equipment rental choices affect employment in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury, Stowe and throughout Washington and Lamoille Counties. Supporting local businesses strengthens the entire regional economy.

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The Math: Quantifying Central Vermont's Economic Impact

Let's make this concrete with a real example. Suppose a contractor in Montpelier spends $10,000 on equipment rental over the course of a year:

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Renting from a National Chain:

• $4,300 stays in Central Vermont (43%)

• $5,700 leaves for corporate headquarters and shareholders

• Local economic activity generated: approximately $1,400 (14% multiplier)

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Renting from Peakline (Local):

• $6,800 stays in Central Vermont (68%)

• $3,200 leaves for suppliers outside Vermont

• Local economic activity generated: approximately $4,500 (45% multiplier)

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The Difference:

• $2,500 more stays in Central Vermont initially

• $3,100 more in local economic activity generated

• Over 3x the multiplier effect for the regional economy

Now multiply this across all the contractors, property owners and businesses in Central Vermont making equipment rental decisions throughout the year. The cumulative impact is substantial.

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This Isn't About Charity! It's About Value

Choosing Peakline Rental & Repair over a national chain isn't a favor to us. It's a sound economic decision that benefits you and strengthens Central Vermont.  

Here's what you get:

• Award-winning Bobcat equipment: We provide the same high-quality machines that won six consecutive years of highest retained value awards.

• Local expertise: Our team understands Central Vermont jobsites, from Burlington's urban projects to rural excavation in Topsham.

• Personal service: When you call, you reach people who know your name and understand your project needs.

• Competitive pricing: Local ownership doesn't mean higher costs. We compete effectively while maintaining quality.

• Economic multiplier benefit: Your rental dollar generates 3x more local economic activity, strengthening the regional economy that supports your business.

• Community investment: We're committed to Central Vermont because we live here. Our success depends on the region's prosperity.

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Making Your Investment Decision

Every equipment rental represents an investment decision. The question is simple: Do you want your money funding Wall Street portfolios, or do you want it strengthening Central Vermont's economy?

The data is clear. The research from Vermont, from universities, from independent economic analyses, all point to the same conclusion: local businesses generate substantially more economic benefit for their communities. The multiplier effect is real, measurable and significant.

For contractors and property owners in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury, Stowe and throughout Central Vermont, this isn't abstract economic theory. This is about where your dollars go, who benefits from your business, and whether your economic choices strengthen or weaken the community where you work.

Peakline Rental & Repair offers quality Bobcat equipment, competitive pricing, and local service. But more than that, we offer you the opportunity to invest in Central Vermont's economic future with every rental decision you make.

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Ready to Invest in Central Vermont?  

The next time you need equipment rental in Burlington, Barre, Montpelier, Waterbury, Stowe or anywhere in Central Vermont, consider the economic impact of your choice. Peakline keeps our local dollars circulating here – generating 3x more local economic activity, creating more local jobs and strengthening Central Vermont communities.

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