County Kicks off ‘Shop, Dine, Go Local’ 2018 Campaign

Gloucester County Freeholders, Chamber of Commerce members and a local business owner joined at Car Effex to kick-off the county’s 2018 Shop, Dine, Go Local campaign that is designed to encourage spending money within the local community to help the county thrive.

 

Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said, “When we spend our dollars locally we support our businesses and community in many ways. Local business owners are our neighbors, they employ our neighbors and they also put their money into our community.”

 

“Each dollar spent at an independent business returns three times more money to the local economy,” Damminger said.  “That is why we are here at a Car Effex today.  This is a small local business that has grown from a web-based business in 2002 to a successful 12,000 square foot showroom and facility and employs a team of mechanics, technicians, painters and installers.”

 

Freeholder Heather Simmons said, “This campaign helps promote local, small businesses and asks residents to pledge to shop, dine and spend their money on local services over the next three months including the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, and then Small Business Saturday.”

 

Les Vail, CEO GC Chamber of Commerce, Rhonda Barlow, Publisher & VP Sales, NJ Advanced Media, Robert M. Damminger, Freeholder Director, Heather Simmons, Freeholder, Frank J. DiMarco, Freeholder, Shawn Layton, Mantua Twp. Committeeman, Michael Layton with son Michael, Owner CarEffex.

 

Simmons, who serves as the Liaison to the Department of Economic Development, said that small business is defined as an independent business with fewer than 50 employees and that according to the Small Business Administration more than half of Gloucester County’s employers are considered small business.

 

“This is the seventh year we have joined with our local business community to promote buying local. Gloucester County is the home to hundreds of locally owned and operated eateries, breweries, wineries, retail and specialty stores and we encourage our residents to think of them first when spending their hard-earned dollars,” Simmons stated.

 

Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Les Vail, described the event simply as crucial.   “We need to remember all of the people working at the grassroots level to make their dreams possible. When we keep money within the local economy we all share the benefits, be it more jobs, lower prices, or more options.”

 

The program is a partnership between the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development, the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce, NJ Advance Media and small business owners in the local area.

 

Residents are encouraged to come join the event. Sign the Gloucester County Shop, Dine, Go Local pledge by visiting http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/e/ed/slsat.asp.

 

For sponsorship details or opportunities please call the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development (856) 384-6902.