Think of the upcoming Community Expo as a one-stop shopping trip — have you seen the price of gasoline lately? — you’ll quickly discover that you can indeed find most everything you need here in Western Tidewater. Numerous businesses located in and even surrounding the region will be available with their products and services. If you’ve got questions, the business owners or associates will be there to answer them.

The Expo, which is hosted by the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, will emphasize the local. When you spend your dollars here, more than half stays in our economy. That’s money that you might well see returned to you if you’re also in business, or invested in improving our infrastructure, schools, etc.

Stop by the Regional Workforce Development Center of Paul D. Camp Community College this Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and find out for yourself why shopping local benefits everyone, especially yourself.