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The Choice. To Buy Local? or Not to buy local. Educating consumers on the choice locally-owned businesses or “big city” businesses big box store the Internet. The Challenge.
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The Choice To Buy Local? or Not to buy local.
Educating consumers on the choice locally-owned businesses or “big city” businesses big box store the Internet The Challenge
This trend of spending in other cities and online not onlysends sales tax dollars to go with those dollars that are spent….. It also poses a threat to local independent businesses!
An Effective Buy Local Campaign ! The Solution? • There is “strong evidence that well-designed campaigns do shift local culture” • -Milchen, Huffington Post, 2/2011 • Jeff Milchen is a co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance, a non-profit organization helping communities organize to support independent, locally-owned businesses and prevent their displacement by giant corporations.
Awareness Education A Level Playing Field (businesses working together) Engaged Citizens Support of City/County Officials Media Coverage What does a Buy Local Campaign “Look Like?”
"Obviously, we want residents, businesses and institutions to do more business locally, but we also want citizens to recognize their right to influence local policy and level the playing field for independently owned businesses. - Steve Bercu, co-founder of the Austin Independent Business Alliance.
Cities with an active “buy local” campaign reported: Annual revenues up 7.2 % compared to 2.6% in areas without such an initiative Increase in public awareness Stronger holiday sales than the industry average * Data reported by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance
“Buy Local” in the News With Buy Local program Without Buy Local program
Jan-June 2012: Average monthly gross retail sales in Harvey County = $31M Harvey County receives 2% of the above amount, or $613K per month Every 1% of growth would result in > $6K monthly increase to Harvey County for an annualincrease of >$73,000 per 1% What would that look like in Harvey County?
A grassroots movement to educate the public of Harvey County on the benefits of buying locally and to encourage everyone to “think local first” when making their purchasing decisions. “BuyHarvey”
History of “Buy Harvey” • “Movement” began in November, 2011 Started as a Buy Local discussion With two objectives: • Educate public about benefits of Buying Local • Cross promote local businesses
History of “Buy Harvey” • Steering committee formed in February, 2012 • Currently: Steering committee meets weekly • Discussion group meets monthly • All local businesses welcome
Specifics • Buy Harvey is shared leadership with direction provided by steering committee • No Membership No Dues No Salaries • Consists of independent, locally-owned businesses in Harvey County • Encourage all local independent businesses to take part
Goals • Educate the public about buying locally • Increase cross-marketing opportunities between local businesses • Promote independent and locally-owned businesses in Harvey County through the Buy Harvey message