Buy Local Blog

Comment

Comment by Dawn Picken on June 12, 2009 at 12:39pm

Thanks, Aaron & Mark. It's heartening to be part of a positive campaign that's inclusive. Yes, Greater Spokane Incorporated is a membership organization, and we're always seeking new members (that's the blatant self-promotion part of this message:), but Buy Local is open to all businesses in the Inland NW, regardless of size or affiliation. The more people we can get involved, the stronger the campaign.

Comment by Aaron Brumfield on June 11, 2009 at 11:52am

I am always impressed with your leadership Dawn. Thank you. We firmly believe that the most authentic economic stimulus, on a local level, is the small to medium size business, or professional. We absolutely need to continue to support that growth sector and use all effective strategies that directly contribute, or benefit us. We the people are the best ones to network and promote our local region on every level.

Comment by Mark Pond on June 9, 2009 at 8:23am

Coming at this from the public service side of the equation (the public library), it is becoming abundantly clear that we need to keep our local dollars circulating in our regional economy for as long as possible. If the dollars remain local, each time they go around they contribute to keeping our roads paved, our parks watered, our libraries open, our hungry fed, etc. Once the dollars leave the community they are generally gone for good and don't come back -- and then we are faced with either public service reductions and/or tax hikes to cover the lost revenue.

The sum of my knowledge on this topic comes from a fabulous book by Bill McKibben entitled "Deep economy : the wealth of communities and the durable future." Your libraries have copies available and waiting for you....

Thanks, Greater Spokane (and Dawn!), for putting some muscle behind the concept of buying local!

Comment by Dawn Picken on June 8, 2009 at 11:01am

Good point, Kim! Sometimes, it takes adversity to make us realize the strength of our community, and the need to consciously support each other.

Comment by Kim Harshberger on June 4, 2009 at 9:06pm

As a small business owner, times two, this issue means a lot to me. I have already have experienced people "getting it." Everyone has been impacted by this current economic time and these things make sense. I only hope that when things are more prosperous again, that the attitude with continue to prevail. This kind of community-centric behavior it will make it easier to weather similar situations in the future.

Comment by Dawn Picken on June 4, 2009 at 7:45am

Thanks for the comments. I agree this is one practical thing we can all do (and promote) to help each other. Allen, I'll message you off-line about a meeting.

Comment by Tom Morgan on June 4, 2009 at 12:04am

If you want to keep your local economy healthy you have to spend your money where you live. Support local business. It keeps your friends and family working.

Comment by Allen Battle on June 3, 2009 at 11:51pm

I saw that you recently presented the "Buy Local" campaign at my AGC breakfast but was not able to attend. I have been promoting this before it was popular but really had no add campaign to go with it. I would love to make an appointment to sit down with you to really understand the message that you are sending to our community to see what I can do to help.

Comment by Rod Schwartz on June 3, 2009 at 8:40am

My company has been offering a "Shop Your Hometown Merchants" radio campaign since the late 90's, to help radio stations lead the effort to galvanize shoppers to give their local merchants first crack at their business. It's met with considerable success in markets across the US and Canada. Shoot me an email if you'd like to hear an example.

More recently and closer to home, I've been working with the Pullman Chamber of Commerce to develop a similar campaign, focused on the idea that if you live here, it's to your benefit to shop here. I developed a graphical slogan: P LLMAN NEEDS U to reinforce the concept, and am working with the chamber on a cross-media advertising campaign.

Eight miles away, Moscow, Idaho has been working on its own "Buy Local Moscow" campaign, complete with a website (buylocalmoscow.com), signage, and occasional media advertising.

With the two towns so close, and a new five-lane highway connecting them, it'll be interesting to see where these provincial efforts lead.

Hopefully it won't come to blows.