All through the weekend, beginning Friday, shoppers in Selma will have the opportunity to purchase back-to-school supplies without having to pay sales tax.

The point is two-fold: to help people get the supplies they need at a lower price and to attract folks into local retail outlets to purchase supplies.

Valley Grande isn’t participating in the tax-free holiday because the city doesn’t have enough big stores to benefit the public or the retailers.

But in Selma, the story is different. There are ample retail outlets with back-to-school uniforms, shoes and other clothing. Also, plenty of stores have notebook paper, pens, pencils, computers and other supplies for students in every grade.

The point here is what anyone could possibly need is here in Selma for the asking.

It makes sense to shop in your hometown. The people who wait on you depend on your business for their livelihoods.

Your money on the counter means a paycheck. It means that retail outlet stays in business. It means people can go to the grocery to feed their families or even take advantage of back-to-school sales and tax-free holidays to purchase school supplies for their families.

On Friday, keep Selma retailers going by shopping in their stores and getting your supplies.

We depend on one another.