Walking Up Main Street: I buy and love local-it’s in the experience
The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rhinelander Inc. are excited to launch a new “I Buy Local” campaign for the Rhinelander business community.
The campaign has been a work in progress over several months with lots of research. We studied how other communities have done it, been successful or failed. We pulled in important players throughout the planning process. Then we started the ball in May with an informational meeting with interested local business owners.
It’s well-known that the benefits are many if we all buy local. Here’s a list of a few benefits and I bet you can come up with more:
• We’ll create local jobs. And not just any jobs. Local businesses are hiring accountants, graphic designers, webmasters and many other well-paying positions. A multitude of small entrepreneurs provides a vital and durable financial base in a community.
• Local businesses typically require less driving, consume far less land and have a lighter environmental impact. Because they focus primarily on local markets, local businesses place a high premium on being easily accessible by local residents.
• Part of what makes any community great is how well it preserves its unique culture, foods, ecology, architecture, history, music and art. Local businesses celebrate these assets and traditions.
• The long-term relationships fostered by local business tend to enhance commitment to civic institutions like schools, churches, charities and service groups that are essential to both local economic success and community cohesiveness.
• Finally, going local is better for you! You’ll enjoy more personal interactions, more distinctive choices and real value.
The Rhinelander “I Buy Local” campaign has goals to increase business sales and decrease the sales leakage outside the community. Another goal is to help educate customers on why to purchase goods and services in our local stores and businesses.
The comprehensive plan laid out between the Chamber and DRI contains advertising opportunities, business growth and development tools and also marketing and website resources. We will promote who are the business owners of our town and what unique products and services they have. We will promote who is buying locally and why. This campaign is open to any and all businesses in the Rhinelander area. The campaign is set up to help grow our local businesses and the business community of Rhinelander.
It’s going to be a lot of fun and so if your business isn’t signed up yet, there’s still time. Please contact me or Lara Reed at the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce to find out how this campaign can help your business.
It doesn’t mean we’re asking everyone to swear off shopping online, dining at chains or sacrifice their wishes. Even a modest shift of 10 percent more spending going to community-based businesses would create dramatic changes for the better in our economy, including a possible wave of new job creation.
Our choices of what and where to buy impact not only us and our families, but the prosperity of our community and even our country. Along with helping your neighbors and community, you might find “going local” turns every week shopping into a more enjoyable experience.
Did you know that every Thursday there’s a Downtown Market? Come on downtown and head for the parking area next to the large U.S. flag. The market (farm and flea) is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
With summer around the corner, here’s the summer line up of activities in Downtown Rhinelander:
• Hodags On Parade – Everyone’s invited to find and enjoy the new and artistically decorated Hodags in its fourth year. The Hodags debut on June 9.
• Second Saturday in June Car Show – Saturday, June 9 – Brown Street is transformed into a sea of classic cars and activity. Downtown Rhinelander, Inc and the Headwaters Corvette Club coordinate this very friendly and fun day. Art on the Courthouse Lawn, plant sale by Master Gardeners of the North and ArtStart’s InsideOut Fair also going on the same day to provide something for everyone.
• Hodag Run for Your Life – Saturday, June 30, 9 am – YMCA of the Northwoods
• Hodag Block Party – Saturday, June 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Community wide street dance and carnival – Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce
• July 4th Parade – Wednesday, July 4 – “We pledge Allegiance” is this year’s theme honoring our country and its flag. In 2012 Rhinelander celebrates 130 years as a City. The Kiddie Parade starts at 10 a.m. The Community Parade begins at 11 a.m.; route begins on North Brown Street. Call Dale Schlieve at (715) 369-1814 for more information.
• Redikulus Dae – Wednesday, Aug. 1 – Come see the new twists to a really fun Redikulus Dae and shop ’til you drop…locally!
See you downtown!
Sue Bessert is available at the Rhinelander Main Street office, located at 21A S. Brown St. Call her at (715) 362-7374, or email [email protected].
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.