Amar Patel '13
No matter how Bowdoin student Amar Patel ’13 finished the semester, he can always pride himself on one fact. His independent research made headlines.
“Growing Local Best Way to Boost Economic Growth” read a headline in the Dec. 14, 2011, Portland Press Herald. The op-ed highlighted a study Patel conducted with the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) detailing the benefit of every dollar spent at Mom-and-Pop businesses in Portland.
According to the study, every $100 spent at a locally owned Portland business can generate $58 in additional local economic impact. That’s $25 more than comparable spending at a national chain.
The study results were announced by MECEP and business leaders at a press conference at a locally owned bookstore in Portland, which was picked up by media outlets around the state.
