County to hold informational sessions on “buy local” campaign
By Danielle Camilli, Burlington County Times, Staff writer | Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013 5:45 am
After an enthusiastic response from business and government leaders to the initial rollout meeting of the county’s “Shop Burlington County First” campaign, officials again will sell their plan at two informational sessions this month.
The campaign is at the center of the county’s “buy local” economic development effort. The second of three planned sessions will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Carslake Community Center at 207 Crosswicks Road in Bordentown City. The final meeting is planned for 6 p.m. July 15 at Burlington County College’s Culinary Arts Center at Mill and High streets in Mount Holly.
The initiative is a collaboration of the Burlington County Board of Freeholders and its regional partners, the Burlington County Bridge Commission and the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce. The informational sessions are open to area businesses, local business and economic development associations, elected officials and residents.
Freeholder Director Joseph Donnelly encouraged businesses and the public to attend and learn more about the “buy local” effort. “Shop Burlington County First” is designed to support in-county businesses, promote downtowns and business districts, strengthen the local economy, and improve conditions for hiring employees.
“The backbone of the economy is small businesses. If each household in Burlington County spent just $10 more each month at those Burlington County businesses, the resulting annual impact to the local economy would be about $20 million,” Donnelly said.
The initiative will encourage residents to shop and spend in their own backyards rather than online or in big retail stores.
“Our goal is to keep Burlington County’s economy strong and growing, and Shop Burlington County First is an easy way for all residents to make that happen,” Donnelly said.
More details about the effort will be available at the informational sessions listed above or at www.shopburlingtoncounty.com.