The San Antonio Economic Development Department is inviting the public to participate in a survey about consumer spending habits as it relates to locally owned, independent businesses.

According to a news release, the city is partnering with a third-party consultant on an initiative to learn more about the community’s relationship with nonchain businesses.

A locally owned, independent business is defined as one that is privately owned; is headquartered in San Antonio; has at least 50% ownership living in the city; and the local business owner can make their own purchasing, marketing and design decisions, city officials said.

“The outcomes are aimed to strengthen San Antonio’s local economy, celebrate its unique culture, increase access to opportunities for all by building awareness of the value of locally owned businesses and preventing financial displacement by keeping more San Antonio dollars recirculating locally,” the release said.

City officials said the survey is accessible in English and Spanish, and will be open through March 30, 2022. It can be found at www.saspeakup.com/consumersurvey. A variety of other languages are also accessible using the www.saspeakup.com translation tool.

The release said the project, to date, has included focus groups with local business owners and meetings with small business support organizations to gain a greater understanding of the challenges locally owned, independent businesses face and the benefits of a campaign to strengthen them.

A multiplier study will also be conducted to identify specific metrics that affect the San Antonio area, the city said.

In November, Mayor Ron Nirenberg presented a proclamation designating Nov. 27-Dec. 31 as Buy Local Season and Nov. 27 as Small Business Saturday.

To observe Buy Local Season, the SAEDD launched the “Shift to Buy Local" campaign to bring greater awareness to the importance of doing business with locally owned, independent businesses, the release said.

“Shifting 10% of household spending to locally owned, independent businesses keeps a larger share of dollars in our region and stimulates a multiplier effect, which creates new jobs,” the city release said.