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Hello Alaska,
In support of the notion that buying local is important to an economy, the 10% shift statistic (which usually consists of a dollar amount that represents the economic impact a 10% shift in local consumer spending would have) seems a little over used, so I am turning to a recent survey, conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit research and educational organization, in partnership with dozens of national and local business organizations. The survey gathered data from 2,768 independent, locally owned businesses during an 8-day period in January. The respondents were located in all 50 states and included a range of business types.
Although their findings suggest that independent businesses continue to be challenged by the weak economy, the survey found that those located in communities that have an active "buy local" campaign, experienced markedly stronger revenue growth in 2010 compared to those in areas without such an initiative, reporting an average gain in revenue of 5.6%, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere. - 57% reported increased revenue as opposed to 48% without a buy local program
- 11% reported no change in revenue
- 32% reported a revenue decrease, as opposed to 41% without a buy local program
When businesses were asked what impacts they had experienced as a result of the initiative: - 55% said the campaign had improved the loyalty of their existing customers
- 47% said it had brought new customers to their businesses
- 68% reported that the campaign had increased local media coverage of independent businesses
- 51% said it had made city officials more aware and supportive of independent businesses
- 49% said it had led to more collaboration, purchasing, and mutual support among local businesses
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year, while 24% said it had stayed the same and only 3% said it had decreased. More than 500 of the survey's respondents volunteered comments as part of the survey. Many of these remarks touched on three key business concerns: the weak economy, the growth of online shopping, and government policies that favor their competitors, such as rules exempting large online sellers from having to collect state and local sales taxes, as local retailers must. Yet businesses active in "buy local" and "local first" initiatives repeatedly cited these efforts as making a difference in their survival and success. There is clear data in support of buy local programs and the positive effect they have on affiliate businesses and in turn the local economy. Virtually all business owners understand this concept. However, education the general public to frequent the stores in their neighborhoods, villages, towns and cities, continues to be a difficult one. Shopping local is not a mandate it's a choice and although an element of education may sway someone's opinion, inherently either you buy into the concept, or you don't. The person that realizes that keeping dollars in Alaska is important, but still shops at www.icangetitonlineforafewbucksless.com , is the same person that leaves the shopping cart next to their car in the parking lot, drives 58 mph in the left highway lane, or paints their house in the middle of the neighborhood bright pink, with purple trim. They have a right to their choice and select to exercise that prerogative, even though it may not be for the greater good. If you like the convenience of stores close to where you live, please frequent them! ------------------------------------------------------- What's cooking at the SBDC? This exclusive offer is made possible by funding through the Small Business Jobs Act, and is only available while those dollars last. If you haven't attended Profit Mastery yet, sign up now! Find a Profit Mastery workshop at a location near you - Hot topics for women in business breakfast
May 25, 2011 8 - 10 am Crowne Plaza Mini Commercial networking $15 with RSVP & payment by 5/20 - $20 thereafter Call Tammy Anderson @ 907-274-7232 for reservations ------------------------------------------------------- Global Food Alaska - A Deal Making Event for Commercial Buyers and Sellers June 8 - 10, 2011 Soldotna Sports Facility Seeking New Sourcing, Transport, Distribution, Packaging, Inspection, Certification, Processing, and Supply Chain Solutions? Look no further! Visualize Alaska's Suppliers coming together, in one place, at one time, to Showcase Their Products, Companies and Services (Food, Beverage and Agri-Products). Global Food Alaska 2011 Is The Place To Meet And Do Business With Local, National And International Buyers. Visit www.globalfoodalaska.com for information and to register. ------------------------------------------------------- MEMORIAL DAY SPECIALS! - Alaska Residents can stay at the beautiful and modern Crowne Plaza Anchorage Hotel from May 26th to May 30th for just $169.00 per room, per night. Make a reservation for 3 days or more and receive a Complimentary Large Pizza and 4 Sodas on your 3rd day as our guest.Call 907-433-4100 for more information. Standard room only. Subject to availability. www.crowneplaza.com/anchorageak
- The Diamond M Ranch Resort is having a Memorial Day Weekend Shindig including live music with The Diamonds in the Rough and Contra Dancing on Saturday, May 28 at 7pm. Monday will include a farm tour and MooseJaw firesides will be there for our campfire. Lots of other things to do that weekend, ride the Matti Mobile, go for a horseback ride or try your hand at fishing. 15% off your three-day stay. Call 283-9424 and reserve your spot today. http://www.buyalaska.com/business/index/10195
------------------------------------------------------ You are cordially invited to join Alaska Denise Lake Lodge for their 2011 Open House on Saturday, May 21, 2011 - from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM in Kenai. Tour the lodge, network your business, make new friends and enjoy food & spirits and PRIZE DRAWINGS! And don't forget to bring plenty of business cards! www.deniselakelodge.com ------------------------------------------------------- Looking for $25 beds? The Fairfield Inn is replacing 30 beds on the 26th of May, 26 queens and 4 kings. Motel 6 is replacing 20 kings and 126 doubles and will start with the kings on the 26th and the doubles on the 27th. Please contact Tia Lewis GM of Motel 6 tlewis@thehotelgroup.com or Diane bates, GM of the Fairfield dbates@thehotelgroup.com for more information. ------------------------------------------------------- Denise Lake Lodge - May 15 to September 30 2011 season specials - Buy three nights lodging and get the 4th night free!
- 5 nights lodging with breakfast, fisherman's lunch & Friday night fish fry - 3 guided fishing trips including a salmon fishing trip on the Kenai River, 1 salt water halibut fishing trip and a fly-out salmon fishing and bear viewing trip
Price: $1,195.00 per person (2 person minimum) Deposit: $250.00 - 6 nights lodging with breakfast, fisherman's lunch & Friday night fish fry - 4 guided fishing trips including 2 salmon fishing trips on the Kenai River, 1 salt water halibut fishing trip and a fly-out salmon fishing and bear viewing trip
Price: $1,475.00 per person (2 person minimum) Deposit: $250.00 - Fly fishing special - August to September 30
7 nights lodging with breakfast, fisherman's lunch & Friday night fish fry, 5 guided flying fishing trips including trophy rainbow, dolly varden and silver salmon Price: $1,995.00 per person (2 person minimum) Deposit: $250.00 50# vacuum-sealed fish box Call today 800-478-1789, or visit www.deniselakelodge.com ------------------------------------------------------- Alaska Native Arts Foundation is taking selected artworks on consignment. If you have artwork you wish the gallery to consider consigning, please email images and information to info@alaskanativearts.org. Visit www.alaskanativearts.org ------------------------------------------------------- A tasty local river rafting special from Denali Southside River Guides! Denali Raft & Kayak - Full Day Excursion 50% off Departs from Talkeetna or Princess McKinley Lodge Come see the beauty of Denali State Park by exploring its waterways and see its wildlife on this full day excursion!! This trip provides wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities as you make your way downstream to Talkeetna. Trip duration: 8-9 hours. $99.00 per person (includes lunch and shuttle, splash gear and dry bags for cameras) Available Dates: June 6, 23, July 15, 23, Aug 9, 11, 24, 25 Please call Shelis or Craig at Denali Southside River Guides at (907) 733-7238 to book your reservation or email to info@denaliriverguides.com For more information visit: www.denaliriverguides.com ----------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- The Soldotna Wednesday Market is a summer food and crafts market that features locally produced items. Open June 1 - August 10. Every Wednesday this summer from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.soldotnachamber.com for more info. | 
