Pledge to buy LOCAL today!

I pledge to invest in my county, strengthen my community, and utilize my consumer power by making at least 10% of my shopping purchases at local businesses in Clinton County. 

Taking the pledge is easy, fun, and makes a BIG impact on our community! How big, you might ask? According to a 2012 study conducted by JP Morgan Chase for the Local First campaign, if all Clinton County residents made just 10% of their existing purchases with local merchants it would translate to $18 million in additional sales in the County per year (JP Morgan Chase, Technology for Social Good: Analysis of Spending Patterns in Clinton County, Ohio, May 2012). See what a significant and positive impact we can make when we all work together to support our local businesses! 

Local First Clinton County

Since 2013, the Chamber’s Local First Clinton County campaign has worked to connect our members to loyal local consumers. This community-facing initiative promotes our members and their events, jobs, deals, and more; and features great annual campaigns like the $25 Days of Christmas. All in an effort to increase support of local businesses!

What is “Local”?

One of the more frequent questions that we are asked at Local First is, “What is local?” Is it every business in Clinton County or just the independently owned ones? While the answer involves a great deal of grey area and personal subjectivity, in our opinion and experience, local is pretty synonymous with personal.

Local businesses are those owned and run by people who are personally committed to their community – whether that includes a tiny mom and pop shop, a locally-owned national franchise, or even a larger corporation. Personal commitment means that they are anchored in their community, willing to give back when possible and willing to do their best not to close up shop and hit the road when times get tough. They make an effort to hire a local workforce – our families, friends, and neighbors. They radiate this personal commitment with every customer transaction.

Why is “Local” Important?

We know how much of an economic and personal impact “supporting local” can make on an individual business. Without the support of their customers, local businesses simply wouldn’t exist!

But did you know that “buying local” also invests in your county, builds your community, and increases your consumer power?

Local First Builds Community

  • Our local shops and businesses provide a foundation on which our community is built. Local businesses provide us with the things we need to live, they employ our friends and neighbors, and they serve as our community gathering places.

  • Like a neighbor, local businesses know you best. They reflect and embrace the things that make our community unique. By shopping at local businesses you are empowering business owners who value your needs and interests, and who serve as stewards of our community.

Local First Gives You Consumer Power

  • Buying local is about owning our local economy, and taking responsibility as consumers to make it what we want it to be. That means using our buying power to create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

  • Instead of sending your dollars elsewhere, think about what you can do to entice a local business to provide what you want by going and talking to them. When you shop locally, not only can you easily make your desires heard to business owners, but you can bring 15 or 20 of your friends along to make the same request.

See what happens when you spend $100 in your county.

Buying from locally owned businesses cycles $68 out of $100 spent back into the local community! Buying from non-locally owned businesses only keeps $43 in the community. (Source: Civic Economics – “Local Works!” Study, 2008. (CLICK HERE))

Local First is an Investment in Clinton County:

Follow along with Local Business Updates

Check out our online or print Chamber member directory when you’re on the search for a great local business or organization.

Follow us at Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and Local First Clinton County on Facebook and Instagram
to see the latest business news and updates.

We encourage you to buy, live, dine, worship, play, and stay local as you explore our local business community!

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