Buy Local Campaign kick-off: July 3rd

Portland, Maine: Independence is the theme this holiday week as a local group launches "BUY LOCAL: KEEP PORTLAND INDEPENDENT" campaign to raise awareness of the economic benefits to buying local. A press conference will be held on Monday, July 3 at 10 a.m. in Monument Square (rain location: Longfellow Books, Monument Square).

Did you realize that for every $100 dollars spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into our community. At a chain store, only $14 comes back. Studies have also found that local businesses contribute more than twice as much of their revenue to charitable causes as do corporate chains.

Locally owned businesses give our cities and towns their unique character, infuse our downtowns and neighborhoods with life and vitality, contribute a great deal to the health and well-being of our communities and are powerful economic engines for the state. Despite their importance, Maine's independent businesses have struggled as national chains have opened stores across the state and captured a growing share of the market.

"I'm participating in this effort with one of my direct competitors because we value the larger social and economic benefits our community enjoys by having a diverse array of strong, independent, locally owned businesses," said Allan Schmid, owner of Books, Etc., "This effort is important to our community and our way of life."

Joan Leitzer, a Portland resident and consumer, said she's been helping with the campaign "because I want to keep more of my dollars working in my community, and locally owned businesses are essential to maintaining the vitality of our downtowns and building strong communities."

This launch is the first phase of what will be an on-going campaign to educate the public of the benefits of buying local. Local independent Portland businesses are invited to join the effort. With a twenty dollar donation businesses will receive a "BUY LOCAL" window decal, a window poster customer thank-you cards as well as educational material to the benefits of shopping at locally owned, independent businesses.

For more information on the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses or to join this effort, visit our website at www.portlandbuylocal.org or

Contact: Stacy Mitchell
Portland Buy Local Committee/Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Office: (207)774-6792
Cell: (207) 232-3681

Nancy Lawrence
Portland Buy Local Committee/Portmanteau
Store: (207) 774-7276
Cell: (207) 332-6142