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