| ‘Be Local … Buy Local’ launches |
By: SAM GETT, Publisher and Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:42 pm
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Northfield’s charm is due in part to its distinctiveness. Our city has managed to retain its own identity, separate from small town neighbors and the sprawling suburbs to the north. College influences play a large role in that character, as does a thriving art community, strong historical ties and an active, engaged citizenry.
That engagement is a major focus of Northfield’s recently launched “Be Local … Buy Local” campaign, a joint effort of the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation. Shop local campaigns aren’t new. Chambers of commerce and business associations have been touting the benefits of patronizing local merchants for years. And while it’s easy to shrug off such efforts as self serving, there’s plenty of evidence to support the positive financial ripple effects of exchanging dollars close to home. An economy in recession fueled these initiatives across the country during the past year and garnered support from stakeholders outside the business community.
In establishing its own program, Northfield leaders recognized two key points: Local engagement extends beyond transactions at the cash register, and you can’t “guilt” consumers into the local option. The result is a reminder to “be local” first. The program’s creators acknowledge this is subjective — “being local” means different things to different people. The NDDC has been promoting this concept for some time. Patrons of Northfield-area restaurants “eat local.” Students of all ages “learn local” by attending classes and workshops in town. Those who tune in to Jeff Johnson or Wayne Eddy on KYMN “listen local.” Northfield News subscribers “read local.”
There are plenty of opportunities to put this engagement into action. St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges, and the Northfield Arts Guild offer a variety of cultural experiences to attend. Vibrant nonprofits and church congregations welcome volunteers to serve neighbors here and abroad. Sports enthusiasts can cheer on athletes and teams at all levels. For many residents, “being local” happens routinely and doesn’t require a great deal of thought. Life or work circumstances may make local engagement more challenging for others. Regardless, the campaign encourages all to take advantage of the options available.
The campaign suggests that residents “buy local” while fully recognizing that consumers today watch their spending very carefully. The point isn’t to chastise those who shop outside of town or define them as “bad,” it’s to encourage all to consider Northfield first. Whatever fills your shopping list this holiday season, there’s a good chance a purchasing solution exists locally. Everything from books, flowers and gourmet chocolates to cashmere sweaters, alpaca scarves and Ugg boots can be found in town or just outside the city’s limits. If local merchants don’t have something in stock, they’ll help you find it.
To learn more about the Northfield area “Be Local…By Local” campaign, visit www.northfieldchamber.com and click on the orange BLBL logo. And watch for more fun and interesting ways to ramp up your civic engagement.
—Reach Sam Gett at sgett@northfieldnews.com or at 507-645-1112. |
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