Post on 11-Jan-2016
description
The Choice
To Buy Local?
or
Not to buy local.
The Challenge
Educating consumers on the choice
◦ locally-owned businesses
or
◦ “big city” businesses◦ big box store◦ the Internet
It also poses a threat to local independent businesses!
This trend of spending in other cities and online not only sends sales tax dollars to go with those dollars that are spent…..
The Solution?
An Effective
Buy Local Campaign !
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.
AwarenessEducationA Level Playing Field (businesses working
together)Engaged CitizensSupport of City/County OfficialsMedia 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.
Do Buy Local campaigns really work?YES!
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 awarenessStronger 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
What would that look like in Harvey County?
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 annual increase of >$73,000 per 1%
1% 2% 3% 4% 4.6%$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$73,585
$147,169
$220,754
$294,339
$338,490
Annual Revenue Growth for Harvey County per 1% Sales Increase
“Buy Harvey”
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.
History of “Buy Harvey”“Movement” began in November,
2011 Started as a Buy Local discussion With two objectives:
1) Educate public about benefits of Buying Local
2) Cross promote local businesses
History of “Buy Harvey”Steering committee formed in
February, 2012Currently: Steering committee
meets weeklyDiscussion group meets monthly All local businesses welcome
SpecificsBuy 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
GoalsEducate the public about buying
locallyIncrease cross-marketing
opportunities between local businesses
Promote independent and locally-owned businesses in Harvey County through the Buy Harvey message
Join the Movement
think. local. first.
Thank You
“Buy Harvey” Steering Committee