By Dawn Schuett
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
Campaigns happening in Rochester, Austin, Red Wing and Winona -- and many more cities across the country -- have nothing to do with casting votes and everything to do with spending dollars.
Each of the four communities in southeast Minnesota has some type of a "buy local" campaign encouraging businesses or residents to purchase goods and services close to home. Although not a new concept, such campaigns are one reason why the "shop local" movement is gaining momentum in the effort to strengthen local economies.
The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce launched its campaign, Buy Mower/Grow Mower, in August 2008. The campaign asks people, businesses and organizations to shift 10 percent or more of their current spending to businesses in Mower County.
In the year since it started, taxable retail sales in Austin increased about 10 percent or $22 million, according to Sandy Forstner, executive director of the chamber of commerce.
A combination of factors likely contributed to the increase, Forstner said, including a stable employment base in Mower County, lower gasoline prices and new commercial areas such as the opening of a Wal-Mart. It's unknown what kind of impact the buy-local campaign had on retail sales, but Forstner believes it's made a difference.
"I think it's raised a lot of awareness among members of the public as well as the business community about the importance of shopping locally," he said.
The three main benefits emphasized by the campaign include the creation and retention of jobs, a stronger tax base and charitable giving by local business owners to nonprofit organizations.
Obviously, Forstner said, dollars spent "within the county provide benefits beyond the point of sale."
Chad Burma, manager of Rydjor Bike Shop in Austin, said it's hard to assess whether his customers are directly influenced by the Buy Mower/Grow Mower campaign, but it's worthwhile.
"We definitely have customers say they make it a point to buy local," said Burma, adding that he makes it a priority in his life, too. "Just working at a small business, it's in my mind already."
Variations of buy-local campaigns exist even in this region. Some businesses in Red Wing and Winona are part of the SmartTown Alliance, a program designed to build customer loyalty while raising money for local charities.
The 3/50 Project, a national grassroots campaign, also has supporters in the area. It encourages people to choose three of their favorite small businesses and spend $50 a month at each of them.
In Rochester, the Buy Rochester Campaign has existed since 2006. Sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Area Economic Development Inc., the campaign seeks to have businesses and local governments shift 5 percent of their out-of-area purchases to the local area.
Brian Olson, communications director for the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, said strategies to involve consumers in the campaign are being explored.
"Every dollar helps," Olson said. "It's a long-term goal to get everybody engaged."
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