Building Local Economies during the holidays

“Why fight the rowdy crowds at the big boxes, chain stores and warehouse clubs when you can find unique gifts, delicious food, and friendly faces at independent businesses in your own community?” asks the website of Local First Utah.  Founded in 2005, Local First Utah has set the week of November 24-December 1 as “buy local week.”

In two years, membership in Local First Utah has risen from 300 to 1,300 businesses, reports Hometown Advantage, a publication of the Institute of Local Self-Reliance.  According to a chart produced by the group, with local sales 68 cents on the dollar is re-spent locally, compared to 43 cents on the dollar for purchases made at chain store, the resulting difference helping promote local job creation.

But it is not just Utah where “local first” purchasing is gaining ground.  According to Community Media Workshop, in Chicago, Mayor Richard Daley and the City Council, backed by the efforts of Local First Chicago, have declared December 3-9 “local first” week in the City of Chicago. 

Nationwide, such “local first” efforts, supported by the rise of two network organizations — the American Independent Business Allianceand the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies are becoming increasingly common.  AMIBA, founded in 1998, now has over 30 member cities.  BALLE, founded in 2001, now has 51 member cities encompassing over 15,000 local business owners.