The Chamber’s Role in Buy Local

We are now two months into year three of the Biddeford-Saco Buy Local Campaign.  The Chamber is proud to play a significant role in a campaign that is designed to encourage consumers to visit and shop in our community and that encourages merchants to participate and work together.

The Buy Local Campaign is a collaborative effort working to showcase the businesses of our two communities and encourage a fundamental shift in the buying habits of its citizens and visitors that will boost our local economy and enrich the communities in which we live. 

The Chamber was an original participant in the development of the campaign.  Several merchants and staff of local organizations committed time and energy to create a way for us to highlight our community and its businesses.  I jumped in feet first when I was hired in January of 2010.  The campaign called for the Chamber, Biddeford-Saco Area Economic Development Corporation, Heart of Biddeford and Saco Spirit to collaborate in the implementation of the campaign.  A logo was designed. A website was created. BSAEDC committed staff time. The Chamber and several local businesses contributed funds to start the operations.  That fundraising totaled in excess of $50,000.  To date, we have spent over $40,000 advertising on television, radio and print and we have not used one cent for administration of the campaign.

When BSAEDC lost their administrative person, the Chamber took on those duties and kept the campaign growing until the position could be filled.  Currently, we have approximately 140 merchants signed up for Buy Local. The Buy Local logo is very recognizable and has developed some value. Our advertising has produced results.  We have focused on holidays and seasonal shopping events.  The Chamber has provided much need printing services and has helped distribute flyers and encouraged people to participate via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.  We have also written Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds to clarify and educate on the merits of this campaign.

The Chamber continues to encourage participation.  We have hosted several meetings and will continue to provide input and support.  What the campaign needs is more enthusiasm and participation from the merchants.  Those merchants that have fully engaged and really found ways of capitalizing on the benefits of participation are seeing benefits.  Many of the merchants reaping benefits are also Chamber members.  Participating in both definitely gives a business an advantage.  The more we can promote your business, the more people that will stop and shop in Biddeford-Saco and the more prosperous our community becomes.