When you shop local, 60 cents of every dollar you spend, stays and circulates in the local economy.
OKANAGAN -Seven Okanagan chambers of commerce have joined together for an unprecedented business promotion campaign aimed at consumers throughout the valley.
Focused on reinforcing the value of shopping local, the local business associations have partnered with community leaders on a multi-media campaign asking everyone, as we ease into spring and less pandemic restrictions, to Show Local Some Love by exploring and experiencing all that the valley has to offer.
“Every dollar you choose to spend locally is like casting a vote for your community to succeed,” said Dan Proulx, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager.
“When you shop local, you are making an investment to enhance where you live. Local businesses create employment, add vitality to the community, support our non-profits and sports teams, and provide government with funds for essential infrastructure.”
The campaign acknowledges that consumers can make purchases across borders with a click of a button but that doesn’t help local small businesses which are the backbone of our economy. When you shop local, 60 cents of every dollar you spend, stays and circulates in the local economy compared to just 14 cents when you purchase something online that comes from the other side of the planet. The campaign sends a strong message about the increasingly well-recognized benefits of supporting local businesses while showcasing some of the unique business and services we have in the Okanagan.
“This program is an opportunity for chambers of commerce throughout the Okanagan Valley to show the combined reach we have in encouraging residents to shop local first,” said Patti Noonan, executive director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce.
The business associations taking part in the effort include Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber, Greater Vernon Chamber, Kelowna Chamber, Greater Westside Board of Trade, Peachland Chamber, Penticton and Wine Country Chamber and the South Okanagan Chamber. More information is available about chamber membership and initiatives at vernonchamber.ca and aschamber.com
OK We Got This – Show Local Some Love initiative is made possible thanks to the support of the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada.
Five Reasons To Show Okanagan Businesses Some Local Love
- Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase at locally owned businesses more money is kept in the community because local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and suppliers. When you show local some love 60 cents on each dollar you spend stays in the local economy compared to just 14 cents when you purchase something online from a multinational in another country.
- Local means Community Builders. Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. Local businesses are managed by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the region’s welfare and future.
- Customer Service Is Better. Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. A better work environment leads to happier employees and happier employees provide better customer service.
- Competition and Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices. A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long term.
- Environmental Impact. Shopping local can connect us better with the source of where so many things we rely on come from. The more we can focus on our local economies, and source our products locally, the better we can connect with our neighbours while building more resilient communities.