CIBA and the Coalition Challenge You to Buy Local First

Find the current Local Business of the Week HERE!  ALL of the businesses that have been featured are in the Business of the Week Archives.

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and Corvallis Independent Business Alliance (CIBA) are co-sponsors of an ongoing Buy Local First campaign. The campaign challenges community members to consider locally owned independent businesses FIRST when making purchases. Money spent in a locally owned business generates more economic benefits, measured in income, wealth, jobs and tax revenue than money spent at a national chain or globally owned business.

Why Buy Local First?

• Prosperity: Of every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the local economy.  Only $13 of every $100 spent at a chain store stays in the community.
• Stability: Local ownership minimizes the chance that a company or business will pull up stakes and move to another town.
• Flexibility: Local business owners are generally more available to their customers and more interested in developing personal relationships, value feedback and accommodate customers’ requests.
• Diversity: Local businesses help a community retain its unique character.
• Sustainability: Spending money at a locally owned business decreases transportation costs, reduces the use of underpaid labor and rewards those who are not outsourcing jobs.

The first event for this campaign took place on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, dubbed Buy Local First Day. Residents were encouraged to visit locally owned businesses for special treats, sales or discounts. Buy Local First Day also kicked off a contest seeking out Buy Local Heroes. Participants in the contest turned in receipts for money spent during a two-week period at locally owned independent stores.  The top three people who turned in the most receipts won fabulous prizes — all donated by locally owned independent businesses!

This year’s Buy Local First Day will be celebrated on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2012.  Stay tuned for updates!