Think Local First

Buy local campaigns aren’t a new idea. Since the late 90’s over 140 cities have taken on a wide range of buy local campaigns. From loosely knit organizations promoting local business, to highly active economic development zones working with risqué but eye-catching campaigns, buy local campaigns have gotten consumers to think about where they spend their hard-earned money.

But how about businesses that don’t have storefront retail? Though it may not look like these campaigns have a positive effect for local independent businesses that don’t deal directly with consumers, the data shows these campaigns do have a significant positive effect.

Here are some of the results from a survey by the Institute for Local Self Reliance. The businesses surveyed ran across all sectors, about half were associated with direct to consumer activities.

It’s important for a buy local campaign to really be more of a think local campaign, helping consumers and businesses see the impact of their products, purchasing decisions, and company initiatives. When consumers purchase from locally owned stores, and those stores purchase from locally owned suppliers, the money stays in the local economy.

So support your local BALLE network! We’re putting together some programs to help locally owned businesses work together, sourcing from other businesses in the local economic region. That creates local economic stability, fosters local entrepreneurship, and creates local jobs.
The Sustainable Business Network of the Inland Northwest (We've changed our name from BALLE Spokane) is planning a meeting! Tentatively scheduled for April 26th at 7pm. If you’re interested, put it on your calendar! We’ll confirm in the next couple of weeks.