Put Your Money Where Your House Is

SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGNS

In cities, towns and villages across the nation, there is an effective and growing Shop Local /Local First movement to support local economies by localizing consumer spending. This movement recognizes that self-reliance of a community and local ownership of businesses are critical requirements for a sustainable and prosperous economy. This Shop Local movement does not require or demand that we never go outside our community for consumer goods; it only asks that we first look locally and make conscious decisions to support our community businesses. It makes sense to start at home where our spending will have a great impact on our community:

●Locally owned businesses maintain the local character and diversity of our community. Our one-of-a-kind stores are an integral part of our distinct and unique character, adding to our sense of community and appealing to out-of-town visitors and investors.

●Dollars spent at locally owned businesses have three times the impact on the community as dollars spent at national chains.

●Local ownership means important decisions are made locally; by people who live in our community and who are invested in our community’s future.

●Local charitable and non-profit organizations receive an average of 350% greater support from local business owners than from non-locally owned business.

●Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity.

●Customer service is better; small business owners consistently rate customer service as their top priority and best marketing tool.

●Local businesses create good jobs; small businesses are the largest employer nationally.

●Local businesses can make more local purchases, supporting local agriculture, producers, and other local businesses.

Interested? Try reading Michael H. Shuman’s The Small-Mart Revolution. “It’s not about stopping anything. It’s about starting something—vibrant local economies that will make our cities and towns the places we very much want them to be.” (Bill McKibben, in Foreward to M. Shuman’s book).

Ann Mehaffy, Program Director

Upcoming Free Business Workshop

Baker County Economic Resource Alliance**
BUSINESS WORKSHOP AND FAIR

Friday, April 3^rd 3:00 Pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 4th 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Register now for this no-cost event

Full workshop schedule and registration at www.visitbaker.com or call Baker County Chamber of Comerce 523-5855 or HBC 523 5442

Changing Rules: Doing Business in a New Economy

No more business as usual! With the shift the economy, it is a whole new ball game these days. Things have to change. Figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Statistics show that those who prepare for times of change are those who do more than just survive, they can thrive.

Prepare yourself to lead your customers and community. Entrepreneur and strategist, Kathie Nelson will inspire you with fresh insight and tools to sort through conventional business wisdom with critical new business strategies to guide you through the upcoming year.

• get un-stuck when you find yourself stalled out.
• successfully re-purpose, re-tool, or re-position yourself – and why you must do it.
• create a business dashboard that keeps your finger on the pulse of the activities that make you money
• identify your ideal customers and grab their attention
• become the “Voice of Reason” in a turbulent business climate

Keynote Speaker:
Kathie Nelson, Entrepreneur, Coach & Strategist
Sharpen Your Entrepreneurial Edge in Tough Times
Bombarded with negative press it is easy to become fear and scarcity focused. Now, more than ever, you can’t afford to waste time in worry and despair. Kathie shares simple techniques to take charge of the attitude, words, and actions that keep you from moving forward. Leave with 3 easy to implement practices that set you apart as a leader and encourage those around you.

Kathie Nelson’s signature talks leave audiences motivated with tools in hand to more effectively serve customers and build sustainable businesses doing what they love!

Kathie Nelson, founder and CEO of Connectworks, is a serial entrepreneur and born powerhouse when it comes to connecting people to business growth. Kathie is a three time author, highly sought after speaker, top tier business strategist, and coach. Her contributions have impacted local organizations like Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon, Portland Business Alliance and IKEA Portland as well as businesses across the US from boutique law firms to wineries to day spas. More about Kathie and her latest e-book "Turn Passion to Profit: The Essential DIY Guide to Package your Talent, Leverage your Time, and Get the Clients you Want" at www.KathieNelson.com

Complete schedule and registration available on the Chamber’s Community Calendar for April 3^rd at www.visitbaker.com For more information call Baker County Chamber of Commerce 523 5855

**BC-ERA is a Business Resource Alliance formed by the Baker County Chamber of Commerce, Baker County Economic Development, Historic Baker City, Inc., and Baker City Economic Development.

Shopping Locally, even in 1907

SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGN 1907
The Baker County Library was kind enough to put aside for me a copy of the 1907 promotional brochure titled Baker City: The Metropolis of Eastern Oregon. This booklet was designed to lure prospective residents, farmers, ranchers, and businesses; it is filled with advertising and information about Baker City and Baker County, heralding Baker City as the most favored region of the great Northwest.
“It is a region where nature has stored away with great profusion her untold mineral treasures; a region of beautiful valleys with matchless soil; magnificent mountains, hills, trees and rivers; a region with a stimulating, vigorous, health-giving climate. Hither are coming the awakening multitudes of the Eastern States—the hard-toiling farmer, the city man, wearied of the daily grind of soul-less occupation, the scholar, the mechanic, the laborer, lured by the irresistible call of “the West”, to the land where there is a joy in living, and where men forget to grow old.”
The back page of the booklet is most surprising of all; readers are urged to shop locally!
“All of us have to spend money. There is an art to spending it where it will do the most good. If spent so that it will circulate around this community, it will help this community. You belong to this community. Therefore it will help you. Isn’t that good logic. Suppose you think it over next time you pick up the Mail Order Catalogue.”
Whether a hundred years ago or today, the self-reliance of a community and local ownership of businesses are critical requirements for a sustainable and prosperous economy. Locally owned businesses maintain the unique local character and diversity of our community. Additionally, dollars spent at locally owned businesses have three times the impact on the community as dollars spent at national chains. Our new Shop Local campaign suggests you put your money where your house is– Shop Baker!
•Ann Mehaffy, Program Director