Members of the Chamber of Commerce met on Tuesday, August 13th at Popiel’s Restaurant in Coleman to discuss a new initiative ‘Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is”.
Part of the plan is to give people reasons to shop locally. There are seven key points the Chamber put forth. 1. Put your money where your heart is. Support your friends, neighbour and yourself. Invest in our community; help create a stronger and healthier Crowsnest Pass by keeping our money here. 2. What Goes Around Comes Around - Two of three times as much money spent stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally-owned businesses. 3. Community Sustainability – Local stores help sustain vibrant, compact and walk-able town centres – linking neighbour in a web of economic and social relationships encouraging visitors to stop and shop. 4. Keep Our Community Unique – One-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of the Crowsnest Pass. It’s proven that communities that preserve their character have an economic advantage. 5. Create Collective Prosperity – Locally owned businesses invest more in local labour, pay more local taxes, spend more time on community based decisions and support local events. In doing so, they create more opportunity for all of us here in the community.
6. Local Owners Care About the Crowsnest Pass – local business owners live in and love the Pass. They are less likely to leave and are invested in the future of the whole community. 7. Give Back and Take Care – local business owners make more local purchases themselves. Locally owned companies and employees are statistically more likely to give to local charities.
The Chamber surveyed all 116 members with 32 respondents, which is 27.6 percent of membership.
It was unanimous indication that members wanted to initiate the shop locally campaign.
Business participating will display signage and promotional material, offer discounts and special rates to participants.
Promote on website and newsletter and through advertising.
Members felt that the best use for advertising the program was through the newspapers with 90 per cent in favour.
There was a 32 per cent agreement that acknowledgment of the program should be done through bumper stickers.
The Chamber is hoping to initiate the program early fall.
