Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not the OP but I'd love to do something that contributes to the local community in a more tangible way than my current $BIGTECH job. I'd love to start a dance studio, a cafe/bookstore, a makerspace. But it'd be a huge pay cut, assuming I could even make a successful business out of it.
Your paying higher taxes contributes likely more to the community than another store. Your paying a local charity usually does much more to the community than even running a gym. If you run a store or a cafe by just paying locals to work in it, using a part of your high wages, it's pretty helpful. But see the charity above; maybe it's better to support e.g. educators. In general, your community is never better off if…
Taxes contribute to government, not community. Agree with the charity option.