Shop, Buy, Play & Stay .... Union County First!
Thank you for visiting the Shop Local First! site through the Union County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership, and the Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau. We are excited about the new Shop Local First! campaign and hope that you are too. This website will act as the first notification of important updates as the campaign is launched. Please check back here frequently as information is continuously being added.
2009 Shop Local Union County Business Expo
The Union County Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Economic Development Partnership announce the 2009 Shop Local Union County Business Expo.
October 14, 2009
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Union County Services Center
940 London Avenue, Marysville
All Union County businesses are invited to participate. The event is open to the public. There will be refreshments and door prizes, and a casual opportunity to network. A special pre-expo networking hour will be held from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (closed to the public).
If you are a business wishing to participate, please download this FORM (pdf).
Useful Links/Resources
Marysville Marketplace
Local Telephone Directory [in association with Embarq]
Made Here, Bought Here!
Union County Chamber of Commerce Member Organizations
Union County Major Employers [coming soon!]
Did You Know:
- 80% of every dollar spent locally stays local?
- Small business growth is the leading economic indicator
- Local businesses meet the customized needs of local residents
PRESS RELEASE
APRIL 16, 2009
Union County Chamber of Commerce Launches Shop Local Campaign
The Union County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with local business leaders, announced the initial launch of a countywide Shop Local campaign in an effort to encourage residents to support area businesses by shopping locally. The purpose of this campaign is to educate
Union County residents on the importance of shopping locally and the economic impact that is experienced when residents decide to support local merchants when shopping for goods, products or services. The campaign will begin in late April and culminate with a Shop Local Business Expo slated for October 14, 2009.
The campaign will include a more aggressive marketing and public education campaign. The marketing campaign will include a series of press releases sent to media outlets, electronic media (viral marketing), radio show interviews, promotional postcards, and a business expo. The Chamber encourages all local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to highlight their products and services to Union County residents.
Spending $100 at a locally owned business creates on average, $45 to $70 of local economic activity. Approximately 44% of revenue from local businesses is recycled into the local economy. According to 2007 data from Ohio Workforce Informer, the retail sector in Union County employs 1,693 individuals at 112 establishments.
By considering shopping local first, residents ensure choice and diversity in the communities of Union County. Also, when small businesses thrive, it attracts more small businesses, leading to a strong vibrant economy. Shopping local develops and maintains our community character.
The Shop, Buy, Play and Stay Local campaign is one economic development initiative that the Union County Chamber of Commerce will undertake over the next several months in an attempt to help strengthen the local economy. The goal will be to educate the public about the economic impact of shopping locally and to expand the market for businesses by making citizens aware of the local products and services that are currently available.
For more information, please contact Christy Clark, 937-642-6279.
