With the arrival of longer and warmer days, many residents have started home improvement projects and yard work.

This time of year, the to-do lists may seem endless. Beyond the basic projects, such as getting the yard ready and spring cleaning around the house, some springtime undertakings may be much bigger — renovating your home, adding onto it or even building a new house.

Instead of driving across the border to pick up supplies, look at what local businesses have available first. Prices often are competitive, plus you save time and gas.

Just as we advocate for shopping locally, it’s also important to hire local contractors and businesses when you have a home or yard project.

In today’s Tribune, the Spring Home Improvement edition includes information about a lot of local businesses and professionals that can help you with projects.

The city of Powell also has a list of registered contractors — general, limited, electrical and plumbing — on its website at www.cityofpowell.com/assets/pages/city/citycode.aspx. Most of the registered contractors listed are from Powell, Cody, Ralston and surrounding communities, though some are out of state.

It’s also important to note that local governments and organizations often make it a priority to hire local contractors. There’s a legal obligation for government entities to give preference to Wyoming contractors, and it’s good to see how often that happens in our community.

We encourage residents and businesses to hire locally for renovation, construction and improvement projects whenever possible.

Many local residents and businesses often look to local contractors first. Two examples are Mr. D’s and WYOld West Brewing Company, both of which underwent major construction projects recently.

For its recent addition, Mr. D’s hired local contractors for nearly every detail of the project.

“We are a local business, and we understand that, when we spend dollars in Powell or Park County, those dollars stay in Park County,” said Michelle Motherway, a co-owner of Mr. D’s. “The more business we do with each other, the stronger our community is.”

She spoke highly of the work done by local contractors.

“All of the work that was done was timely, professional and highly recommended,” she said. “We have nothing but great things to say ... we were very impressed with the honesty and integrity of the folks we worked with, the local contractors here in Powell.”

Matthew Lengfelder, president of WYOld West Brewing, said all of the local contractors he’s worked with have been “professional and more than qualified.”

“They all seem to take extra effort to make sure everything is done right,” Lengfelder said. “I think a lot has to do with them having a sense of ownership since this business is in their community.”

He said he likes to know that money spent locally on the renovation project will be spread throughout the community.

“Our plumber will eat at local restaurants, our electrician buys groceries in town, etc. That money then moves through to those businesses’ employees who then can go to a movie or come to my business for a beer,” Lengfelder said. “It all makes its way back through the system. This isn’t just gratuitous, though. Powell has an excellent crop of trade businesses.”

We agree. As springtime projects arise, look at working with local professionals and businesses instead of spending your dollars elsewhere.