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To the Editor:

Imagine a town where local artisans and crafters can legally create and sell their goods right from their homes – boosting our economy and fostering entrepreneurship. Right now, outdated zoning codes prevent many residents from turning their skills into a livelihood. As a result, some operate in a gray area or entirely outside the law, not out of dishonesty, but because the system hasn’t adapted to modern economic realities.

It’s time for a change. Allowing small-scale home businesses to operate legally would empower local talent, bring fresh opportunities, and strengthen our community. Let’s push for a code update that supports hardworking residents and encourages innovation.

By updating our city’s code to allow small-scale home businesses, we can provide families with new income opportunities while ensuring safety and compliance. This change would support parents who need flexible work, aspiring entrepreneurs who lack the capital for a storefront, and future generations looking to build local businesses. It would also boost our local economy, keep money within our community, and create a culture of innovation.

Rather than forcing residents to navigate unclear or restrictive regulations, we should create a legal pathway that benefits everyone – business owners, consumers, and the city alike. I encourage city leaders and fellow residents to support this important change for a stronger, more self-sufficient community.

There is strong evidence supporting the positive impact of changing local codes to allow residents to make and sell handmade products from home. Here are some key examples:

• According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, home-based businesses make up over 50% of all small businesses, offering opportunities for financial independence, especially for parents, retirees, and individuals with disabilities.
• The rise of Etsy and similar platforms has demonstrated how small, home-based businesses contribute to creative economies worldwide, generating billions in sales annually.

To conclude, many cities have found that updating zoning codes to allow small-scale home businesses leads to better compliance with health, safety, and tax regulations while encouraging responsible entrepreneurship.

I believe this change has the potential to benefit countless residents, strengthen our local economy, and create new opportunities for families and future generations. I would love to hear your thoughts and gather support from the community.

For this change to happen, we need a certain number of residents to show their support. Your voice can make a difference in shaping a better future for our community.

If you believe in this initiative and want to help, make it a reality, please reach out to me at [email protected]. Together, we can gather the support needed to move this proposal forward and create new opportunities for our town.

Sincerely,

Deysi Asencio
Parent  and Community Leader (PLTI)