Yes, Deschutes County IS shopping locally!

At April 2009's Earth Day celebration the Deschutes Democrats kicked off of their “YES WE ARE – SHOPPING LOCALLY” campaign. This non-partisan community development program is designed to support local employment and area businesses. With nearly 13,000 Central Oregonians out of work and unemployment well into the double digits in Deschutes County, the Deschutes County Democrats are the lead sponsor for this campaign. As Connie Kennard, Past President of the Boyd Acres Neighborhood Association puts it, “It’s time to be in line before going online” when it comes to purchasing the goods and services we need as residents, businesses and government entities. This non-partisan campaign invites residents, community-based organizations, business groups and the religious community to join in and support this campaign.

“This is bigger than any political party. When we shop locally,” said Mike Schmidt, Past President and CEO of the Bend Chamber and campaign project manager, “we benefit our local economy; support local employment; help ensure business stability, growth and expansion; underwrite our local tax base; and help reduce unemployment. With a total annual payroll in Deschutes County exceeding $2.5 billion, we can do a lot to help turnaround our current economic condition by shopping locally.” At the Earth Day event on April 18th in downtown Bend, over 150 participants signed shop local pledge sheets, pledging to give local business a shot at their business before going out of the area or online. Over the coming months, as the campaign rolls out, people will be able to pledge online at the website. Bumper stickers displaying the “YES WE ARE – SHOPPING LOCALLY” theme are now available to further show support for our local workforce and business community.

Support Deschutes County jobs, online

 Help your neighbors and friends in this tough economy

"Shop Local" news

 Updates on the Buy Local campaign

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 Campaign documents and info

Ten Good Reasons to Shop Locally

1.        Shopping locally retains and creates jobs – in a county with over 17% unemployment and over 17,000 people out of work, keeping local jobs is vital.  It could be your job, that of a family member, a friend or even your business – meaning your job

2.         Over 95% of our local businesses are locally owned and operated – meaning you’re doing business with the business owner and not some out of town ownership group

3.         Money spent locally stays locally – for each dollar spent in the local economy it’s multiplied five to seven times

4.        Local businesses contribute to area non-profit organizations, local schools, community activities and their employees volunteer for community events

5.         In local stores, you can build a relationship;  you’re more than just a customer.

6.         Local businesses keep the community unique and for tourist communities, it’s that uniqueness that keeps visitors returning year after year

7.         Shopping locally is good for the environment and helps you lower your carbon footprint – no added packaging, shipping or fuel costs when the product is already here

8.         Shopping locally retains our community – people don’t like losing shops and services and shops and services only survive when community members spend their money locally

9.         Local businesses support other local businesses

10.       Our hometown is more important than saving a few bucks by shopping online or out of the area

“Be In Line Before You Go Online”