Ruby Valley Buy Local

Give Your Community a Reason to Shop Local in 2012

2012-01-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Macel of Booze n Buns for forwarding this email!

Main Street Executive Directors, State Main Street Directors, Downtown Improvement Directors, Chambers of Commerce

& Economic Development Departments --

GIVE YOUR COMMUNITY A REASON TO SHOP LOCAL in 2012! Let's transform your community into a retail destination, draw traffic and encourage sales.

NOTE: If your merchants are not moving forward, it means they're standing still, and that is not a healthy competitive position.

Let's aim to improve the economic health of your neighborhoods, your localities and your shopping corridors.

1. Shopping local creates jobs. Shops in your town create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy.

2. Local independent shops invest more in your communities. Local businesses are proportionally more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial contribution to your community.

3. Local shops sell great products at affordable prices. Some people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products available.

4. Shopping locally saves you time and money. You travel less, saving on time and fuel.

5. Shopping locally retains your communities. People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns but don’t equate this with how they spend their money.

6. Shopping locally retains your distinctiveness. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet changing population needs.

7. Shopping locally saves the environment. Local shops often stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods that do not require long-distance transportation, helping to reduce our global footprint.

8. Local shops are for everyone. Most people can get to their local shops easily. This is especially important for the elderly, young people and others who rely on public transportation.

9. Local shops value you more. Evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher standard of service.

10. Shopping local saves services. Private and public sector services cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants and other businesses.

Consumers can pledge to Think, Shop, Buy, Local and commit to patronizing businesses near where they live and work. Local stores employ your neighbors, pay taxes that support your schools and improve your roads, and contribute to local non-profit groups.

Together we can strengthen relationships that improve our quality of life. So next time before you make a purchase, Think, Shop, Buy, Local.

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Great Merchant Program:

The Power of Partnerships

Using Your Neighbors to Grow Your Business

Today’s smart retailers understand that the sharing of ideas and resources among like-minded retailers can lead to new found success. This seminar will give your community businesses the ideas and tools to develop and plan for long-term partnerships that will help grow their business for years to come.
• Find "Business Buddies"

          • Learn from Case Studies
          • How to start Partnership Roundtable's
          •  Discover creative cross-marketing ideas
The opportunities for these little kinds of partnerships are endless. No matter what city you're in, your business shares customers with other businesses. Discover a business buddy or two, how to pass customers around and keep them spending in your community.

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Tell me more! We need you to visit --
What has worked well for other communities like mine?Please give me ideas for financial help, a proposal and a list of "Hot Topics" --

bwold@ix.netcom.com

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Barbara Wold International

Follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/barbarawold

Connect with me on Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarawold

NEW ADDRESS

9795 Jefferson Parkway, Suite F1

Englewood, CO 80112 USA

Ph 949.675.8845 (messages only)

or 303.284.4486

bwold@ix.netcom.com

Please consider the environment before printing this email

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Barbara Wold is an internationally known speaker and authority to the retail and consumer industries. More than 40 years of firsthand retail experience in executive and sales management,marketing and repositioning have made Ms Wold as one of retail's most sought after speakers and consultants. Ms Wold is an authority on building business through customer driven strategy and maximizing human assets.

Her areas of expertise include customer experience and care, marketing strategy, consumer buying patterns, image, sales and service quality, public relations, redevelopment and tourism, which truly make Wold a

master in the retail and consumer industries.

Barbara works with airport retail and the duty free industry. Ms Wold also works with many downtowns and historic cities that are going through revitalization in an effort to boost their economic viability. Barbara is a representative for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Community Cookie Exchange

2011-12-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

Come this Sunday to The River's Edge Gallery in Twin Bridges, 4 to 6 pm, December 11. Bring a dozen cookies and (or not) a recipe card OR just stop by to sample the cheer. There will be plenty to go around! Bring a friend, tell a friend, stop by between Ruby Valley Chorale Concerts. Check out the www.rubyvalleychamber.com website for the community calendar and details of events. If you missed us at the Christmas strolls, this is a great opportunity to decorate ornaments with the kids, discuss Buy Local, and Be Merry in the Great Ruby Valley!!

Buy Local Meeting

2011-11-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

The next Buy Local Meeting is

Tuesday, November 15, 2 pm at Beacon Business Center

2011-11-11T13:54:00.002-07:00

November 1st Buy Local Meeting

2011-10-31T12:56:00.000-06:00

There will be a Ruby Valley Buy Local Meeting Tuesday, November 1st at 11 am at The Health Emporium in Sheridan.

Bring ideas for the Holiday Gift Guide!!

Buy Local Holiday Gift Guide

2011-10-25T11:23:00.000-06:00

I came across an article from RURALTOURISMMARKETING.com written by Joanne Steele on October 18, 2011, "Gearing up for Christmas and the New Focus on Shop Local and Shop Small." The timing is perfect as I was just thinking I should begin designing a Ruby Valley Buy Local Holiday Gift Guide. I am unsure of the final format, whether it be print, online, or both. I am open for suggestions, please email me at jumping_rainbow@hotmail.com or comment at the end of this post.

The article suggests that this could be a great holiday season for small businesses. The shop local campaigns are growing among small town communities and as buzz language in the media. The Wall Street occupation is shedding a lot of light on small businesses and that is another contributing factor to this holiday season being one of the best for small, local businesses.

There is a lot of sadness in our business, Jumping Rainbow Espresso, being closed for the Winter Season; but perhaps there are other ways we can benefit from the Buy Local movement and the Holidays...gift baskets sold at the Winter Bazaar?? Cooking classes?? Catered Holiday Parties?

What one-of-a-kind, unique gift does your business have to offer this Holiday Season? Let me know if you want to be listed in the Gift Guide.

2011-09-13T13:40:00.001-06:00

I'm looking for a drawing of a prospector...for Buy Local campaign advertising. Anyone interested?

Support Local Worksheet

2011-08-30T18:01:00.000-06:00

A Buy Local Worksheet

adapted from http://ruraltourismmarketing.com/

Customer Service Always Needs Improvement.

Tourists visiting our community rely on human interaction besides what they learn from the world wide web in order to access our community and feel apart of it. Can you or your employees answer these common tourist questions?

1. Where is a good place to stay?

Use your Chamber of Commerce to get to know a little about the lodging in and around your town. People ask this in gas stations, restaurants, hardware stores, anywhere there is a smiling face behind a counter. Be ready to answer, or they might drive to the next town.

2. Where is a good place to eat?

It’s okay to recommend your own favorite. In fact, that’s the best. Visitors love to eat where the locals eat.

3. What is there to do around here?

School your youngest employees on the answer to this one. They are trying to leave and will probably answer “nothing” without some input.

4. How do I get to ________________?

Have an old fashioned paper map behind the counter to help people find their way to surrounding communities. And make sure your frontline people know how best to get to your local attractions.

5. Where is a public restroom?

This is a biggie in rural communities. Lots of restaurants have a “customers only” policy. Know the closest public restroom, or, slick yours up and be ready to say, “I’d be happy to have you use ours.”

Suggest that your Chamber post answers to the most vital and relevant questions on their website. It will help visitors, and more importantly, it will help your employees keep current.

25 Things You Can Do to Support Your Small Town Chamber so That They Can Support You

2011-08-30T15:01:00.000-06:00

25 Ways You Can Support Your Small Town Chamber of Commerce So That They Can Support You

from ruraltourismmarketing.com

by Joanne Steele, Oct. 7, 2009 & January 7, 2010

1. Become a member of your chamber—it’s money well spent.

2. If you’re already a member, run for the Board.

3. Encourage other businesses to join.

4. Volunteer to help with chamber events.

5. Go to meetings.

6. Support other chamber members’ businesses and thank them for being part of the chamber.

7. Network with other chamber members with complimentary businesses and create a co-op marketing group.

8. Take your business needs to your chamber board and ask for them to consider researching or adding services you need. Things like:

· Business skills development workshops at reduced costs

· Group health insurance options

· Event insurance to be used for business group events

9. Take your concerns about the chamber directly to the director or chamber president—don’t gossip, it’s damaging to your whole town.

10. Offer your skills and expertise to other businesses in town through a presentation for your chamber.

11. Link to your chamber’s web site on your own web site.

12. Link to other chamber members.

13. Hold a chamber mixer at your business.

14. Advocate for your chamber at City Council meetings. Keep the chamber on your City Council’s agenda when it comes time to distribute funding.

15. Send a letter to the editor in your local newspaper talking up what your chamber does for your town.

16. Thank your chamber board often for their services to your town and business community.

17. Share your experiences of chamber or community best practices that you have observed working well in other communities.

18. Take advantage of those special marketing opportunities the chamber creates.

19. Support your chamber’s visitor info and relocation marketing efforts with advertising and by displaying your materials in their office or visitor center.

20. Keep your business information updated. When things change, call instead of waiting for someone from the chamber to call you.

21. Refer your customers to other chamber members and tell the other businesses that you’re doing it.

22. Become a sponsor of one of your chamber sponsored small town events.

23. Display your chamber member certificate or sticker prominently in your business.

24. Become an extension of your chamber’s visitor information center by keeping current on what to see and do in your town so you can answer visitor questions.

25. Giver your chamber office workers a complimentary meal at your restaurant, adventure with your company, tour of your lodging, or a gift from your shop to help him or her be able to better describe your business to visitors.

Also from Steele’s articles:

“Many small town businesses underestimate the value and importance of their chambers of commerce.”

“Chambers are so important to small towns…”

Thank you Joanne Steele from ruraltourismmarketing.com

August Business After Hours

2011-08-24T10:21:00.000-06:00

Friday August 26th at the Twin Bridges Historical Association/ Museum
5:30 pm to 7 pm
Refreshments Provided (Joy mentioned daiquiris)
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the Historical Association and Museum,
plus unwind at the end of a busy week.

Sign up to host future Business After Hours

Buy Local Notes

2011-05-31T11:04:00.000-06:00

The Next Buy Local Meeting will be at 11 o'clock a.m, Tuesday June 7th at The Health Emporium in Sheridan.

The May 27th After Hours at the River's Edge Gallery was a beautiful event. Surrounded by the amazing art, the newness of the renovated space, and the lovely food provided by Pat Bradley and Melanie Johnson, Tastefully Simple Independent Consultant made for a fun social event.

We're looking forward to June After Hours at PruMT- Sheridan and Alpenglow, Friday June 24th.

Sign up to host future After Hours. Let's keep this new tradition rolling!

Business After Hours

2011-05-11T09:36:00.000-06:00

The April Business After Hours at the Saddlebrook Complex in Sheridan was not only informative but a lot of fun. Don't miss out on the opportunity to inform the public about your business, the networking opportunities, and the chance to have a glass of wine with other Ruby Valley business persons. We're looking for a Ruby Valley business to host May Business After Hours, May 27th. It is the Friday of Memorial Day weekend; it might be a difficult weekend to have available. Please email jumping_rainbow@hotmail.com or comment to sign up to host future After Hours.

Don't forget about the Local Business Expo...this Saturday May 14th!

Business After Hours

2011-04-27T10:12:00.000-06:00

Business After Hours
Friday April 29th, 5:30 pm
Saddlebrook Complex, Sheridan

Refreshments provided

Business After Hours summary

2011-04-04T16:41:00.000-06:00

The first Business After Hours was a success! Well-attended, a cozy Business Networking event.

There is a Buy Local Meeting tomorrow, April 5th, before the GRVCCA meeting at the Sheridan branch of RVNB.

The next Business After Hours will be Friday, April 29th at The Health Emporium in Sheridan.

An interesting question arose from the Business After Hours at The Weaver's Studio, March 25th:

What defines local?

Norman's question was followed by another. He asked, "I buy my coffee from Helena . Is that local?"

My mind leaps to Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and her family's yearlong endeavor to eat as local as possible. There are concentric rings spiraling out from our homes and the further the distance from ourselves to the source of the products or food, the greater the impact to the environment. The further produce and food products travel the greater the likelihood of contamination, and must be treated to preserve freshness. And when we spend money at chains that are international corporations, we are sending our money out of our own communities instead of enriching our local economies.

Kingsolver's book had me wondering how our family would fair with the same challenge. We are at a disadvantage living here in Montana, with such a short growing season. I could use local butter and give up Olive Oil. I could use local honey and give up sugar. We have local flour and wheat options. Salt? Pepper? Chocolate? Coffee!?! It would be hard, but it could be done.

In regards to our Buy Local movement here in the Ruby Valley, I think again of those rings. Starting with the radius of one block, I can buy groceries locally. Extending the radius to a mile, I can find in the town of Twin Bridges a hardware store, gas stations, casual dining, family dining, and fine dining, cocktails, local produce in the summer at the Farmer's Market. Extending the radius of the next ring to ten miles and I can shop at a health food store, business supplies, favorite wines. What I can't find in the Ruby Valley, I am happy to try to find in Butte. Made in Montana is a powerful product label. Instead of settling for Made in China goods, I can try hard to find something manufactured in the Great North West.

There used to be campaigns encouraging consumers to "Speak" with their dollars. I think there validity in that thought. Where I spend my money and what I spend my money on speaks to my values and philosophies.

I choose to spend money here in the Ruby Valley because I believe in the Ruby Valley. Supporting local businesses is the least I can do to try to keep them around.

Buy Local Meeting

2011-03-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Next Buy Local Meeting:

Tuesday, March 15th

11 am

The Health Emporium, Sheridan

We're looking for local artists to help us create fictional characters based on our area's history for this year's Support Local Campaign.

Meeting March 1st, 11 am

2011-02-23T14:57:00.002-07:00

Hello Everyone!!

News from Buy Local:

Our next meeting will be the 11 o'clock hour before the GRVCCA meeting at the Twin Bridges branch of RVNB Tuesday, March 1st.

Please bring your Top Ten Reasons to Support Local Services and Businesses.
We will be discussing how to put our Reasons to Support Local into an eye-catching poster/ ad campaign for the 2011 season.

We are close to launching Ruby Valley Business After Hours. Please bring your suggestions/ ideas/ concerns/ thoughts regarding a once-a-month gathering focused on Business Networking in our area.

We need bodies! It has become popular to suggest that Buy Local be able to take on any venture and in reality we are a very very small group. I love working on the Support Local movement and appreciate the opportunity to work in our community. If you know of someone with a little bit of free time, someone who has exciting ideas send them our way. You don't have to attend meetings, email your suggestions. One of our greatest goals in this beginning stage, is just to get the conversation rolling.

Thank you,

Sarah Miller

Buy Local Meeting February 17th

2011-02-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

Our Next Buy Local Meeting is Thursday, February 17th, 11 am at The Shack in Twin Bridges.

Bring Your Top Ten Reasons to Support Local Services and Businesses. Check out localfirst.org, newrules.org, and portlandbuylocal.org for suggestions for Top Ten lists.

We are also discussing Business After Hours,
Open Forum Discussions for Business Owners

Bring Your Suggestions of Topics:

Suggestions So Far...
How Do We Promote the Ruby Valley?

How Do We Promote Community Cohesion?

How Do We Get Locals to Support Locals?

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Buy Local Freshman Essays

2011-01-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Downing's Freshman English Class participated in the Buy Local Essay Contest. There are some amazing essays besides great slogan material from their titles. Many thanks to the kids. You can find those essays at the Ruby Valley Chamber website www.rubyvalleychamber.com or in the Groovy Links list found on the right side of this page.

Thank you also to Mrs. Tilstra's Kindergarten class and Mrs. Schendel's 2nd grade Art class for their participation in the Poster Contest for local elementary students. These awesome posters added to the energy and excitement of Buy Local Month.

Thanks to all who participated!

A New Year to Buy Local

2011-01-20T15:26:00.004-07:00

Well, this blogger took a nice long break for the holidays. I am still catching up, but after all our hard work this last December, I needed a couple weeks to regroup.

Six of us met at The Prospector in Sheridan today, January 20th 11am for our first Buy Local meeting of the new year. We quickly wrapped up December is Buy Local month. The ornament decorating during the strolls was successful at getting kids and their parents to take in the information we provide at our Buy Local Display. The most well-attended event of the five we hosted this past month was the Community Cookie Exchange. We will include this event in 2011, perhaps combined with a documentary screening. The documentary screenings provided lively discussion, and helpful ideas. We have agreed to show the documentary, Independent America, again this spring. We have agreed to keep December as Buy Local Month for years to come. We also agreed that

Every Month is Buy Local Month

and that we could sponsor other Buy Local months during the year.

Greg Lemon of the Madisonian approached Carol DeLisi, GRVCCA President, with an opportunity for our Chamber. There has been discussion regarding a local business directory. The Chamber long ago asked the Buy Local group to help with this venture. Then at the end of 2010, Editor Lemon asked that our chambers combine forces to create a county-wide directory. Lemon would like the project completed by the end of March.

The Buy Local group agreed that we could not take on the directory project. A new committee should be created that would include Buy Local group members (those who felt they had the extra time and energy to give) , other volunteers who believe in the project and members from the other side of the hill. There are many questions regarding the directory project. We need to compile our questions and concerns for Carol to present to Greg. Our Buy Local group doesn't want to lose focus from our big picture objectives:

1) Make consumers aware of the goods and services available locally.

2) Re-educate consumers about the benefits of buying locally.

The Emphasis of our Program:

Support Local Business

Brandi from the Madisonian showed us the Buy Local game that is going to be in the paper.

We need to think ahead and make a yearly agenda. Our next big event to prepare for is the Local Business Expo at the Fairgrounds, May 14th! We may make May our "Buy" Annual Buy Local Month. We may try to squeeze in a documentary screening before then. We need to plan a Buy Local event for the summer.

So, we need to toss around some ideas about the directory, our involvement in the Local Business Expo, and the other ways we are going to share with the public our dedication to the Buy Local Movement.

Our Next Meeting Will Be February 3rd,
11 am at Beacon Business Center.

A Review of the Screening

2010-12-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely evening at the Sheridan Public Library shared among a small group of Ruby Valley citizens. The popcorn was buttery and the chairs were comfy. Besides Buy Local volunteers, Brian Curtis, Carol DeLisi and myself, there were eight viewers who from general consensus enjoyed the film. The film brings to light the importance of shopping locally. Most everyone has started to think that way. "We'll try to do more."

As Carol prefaced the film, "It is short on solutions." Perhaps that is because each place is unique and has to tap into a unique niche to make it in these hard times. The film documents ghost towns of downtown areas. And while brick and mortar, beautiful downtown spaces maybe be abandoned, boarded up, the "Anywhere Town, USA" is always hoppin'.

Carol Lee Swagger, who supplied the popcorn, spoke of when she and her husband first moved to the area in 1959. We have the same number of residents as that time. But back then, there was everything you needed here. You didn't have to drive to Dillon, Butte or Bozeman for what you needed. There used to be a car dealership in the area.

We hope to get a better showing at the next screening. Tell your friends, blast the emails. We're working hard to spread the word, and all we want is to hear from you, your reactions, your thoughts on how businesses can improve, your thoughts on what businesses and services you'd like to see in the area.

Your Buy Local Support Team is Working for You!!

Community Cookie Exchange

2010-11-04T15:46:00.000-06:00

Community Cookie Exchange

4 pm at the Rivers Edge Gallery in Twin Bridges

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

You do NOT have to bring cookies.

You do NOT have to bring 25 copies of your recipe.

Bring cookies, if you feel like it and have the time.

Bring as many copies of the recipe as you would like to prepare

(there will be paper and writing utensils available for people to copy down recipes from a single card)

OR...

Just show up, enjoy a cookie or two,

sample some Holiday Cheer

and chat with the Buy Local committee, your friends and neighbors about the benefits of buying locally,

Buy Local campaign ideas,

Slogan Suggestions,

or just enjoy the atmosphere of the Gallery,

the excellent company,

and show your support of the Buy Local effort!

Shop Local This Holiday Season

2010-11-04T15:31:00.002-06:00

I proudly look upon my “Thinking of You” gift basket I’ve put together for my Mom. Local, seasonal wine from Booze n Buns; healthy, yummy snacks from The Health Emporium; Tastefully Simple seasoning from consultant Melanie Johnson; a little holiday ribbon and I’ve created a unique hostess gift from my Mother that says, “I love you. I’ve been thinking of you.” It was all purchased within 35 miles! We can support our friends and neighbors this holiday season by purchasing and creating personal, thoughtful gifts. Share your ideas at www.rubyvalleybuylocal.blogspot.com

December is Buy Local Month in the Ruby Valley. Check out the awesome activities planned: Christmas Strolls, Independent America Documentary screening (2 times to watch), and a Community Cookie Exchange. Link up to IndependentAmerica.net for info on the documentary we are screening Thurdsay, December 9^th at the Sheridan Library and Tuesday, December 14^th at the MT Room at TBHS. Join us at 6 pm for snacks and mingling, then we’ll settle in for the 81 minute film with discussion to follow. Come to the Rivers Edge Gallery in Twin for the Cookie Exchange—only bring cookies if you want to and as many copies of your recipe as you want to create. Or just stop by to sample the Holiday Cheer.

Brag about your Buy Local successes. Share them at the blog website. Happy Holidays from your GRVCCA Buy Local Committee!

December is Buy Local Month

2010-10-21T15:26:00.000-06:00

Our small Buy Local group is working hard to present to the Greater Ruby Valley community--

December is Buy Local Month

Our community works hard at our local Christmas Strolls.

Twin Bridges: Thursday, December 2nd, starting at 5 pm

Sheridan: Friday, December 3rd

Look for the Buy Local Booth (@ the Main Street Market in Twin and @ Beacon Business Center in Sheridan) for fun Holiday Activities.

The Buy Local group is also presenting the documentary

Independent America:
The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop

www.independentamerica.net

There is also a link at the bottom of this page.

We will be viewing the documentary at the Sheridan Public Library, Thursday December 9th at 6 pm and at the MT Room, TBHS, Tuesday December 14th. Refreshments provided.

To round out Buy Local month, we are hosting a

Community Cookie Exchange

at the River's Edge Art Gallery in Twin Bridges

Sunday, December 19th, 4pm

Bring a dozen cookies, with 3x5 recipe cards,

OR just show up and join us for cookies and

warm, holiday beverages

poster

2010-10-21T15:13:00.001-06:00

December is

Buy Local Month

in the Greater Ruby Valley

Christmas Stroll

Thursday, December 2^nd in Twin

Friday, December 3^rd in Sheridan

Join us at the Buy Local Display for Fun Christmas Activities!

Film Screening:

The GRVCCA Buy Local Group Presents
Refreshments, Discussion & Documentary Viewing:

Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop

Two Opportunities to Watch

Thursday, December 9^th @ Sheridan Library, 6 – 9 pm Tuesday, December 14^th, @ MT Room (TB), 6 – 9 pm Community Cookie Exchange
River’s Edge Gallery, TB
Sunday, December 19^th @ 4 pm

Try Local First!

2010-10-18T08:27:00.003-06:00

The Buy Local display has been up at the Twin Bridges Public Library. It is important to keep the display up and moving through the valley to educate our neighbors, and reminds our friends to support local business.

There were five in attendance of the October 5th Buy Local meeting that took place the hour before the GRVCCA meeting, at the Twin branch of the Ruby Valley National Bank: Cynthia Watson, Carol Delisi, Brandi Ostwald, Sarah Miller, and Brian Curtis.

Follow-up with Buy Local in the schools continues. Twin Principal, Aaron Griffin, said that the elementary would begin Buy Local in Ruby Valley schools after Homecoming (any time now). English teacher, Kelly Downing, is prepared to have her freshman class take on the essay contest. (Sarah will speak with the class, Monday October 18th). Our group needs to check in with Sheridan and Alder schools.

Brian is making 11" x 17" posters of the Buy Local window cling so businesses are able to advertise in a larger manner that they Buy Local! Brandi offered to help pass them around the valley.

Discussion moved to December as Buy Local month. Theme of the month:

Try Local First!

There will be two screenings of the documentary, Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop (http://www.independentamerica.net/). The Sheridan screening will be at the Sheridan Public Library, Thursday December 9th, and the Twin screening will be at the MT Room at the Twin school, Tuesday December 14th. Showings will be 6 to 9 pm. There will be a discussion to follow the screenings, lead by Carol Delisi. Refreshments will be provided by volunteers (we will graciously accept donations)

For Buy Local month, the Twin Book Club (that meets at the Weaver's Studio) will read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I believe the Sheridan Book Club (that meets at the Library) may also tackle this lovely book for December, as well.

The group decided to run ads in the Buy Local section of the Madisonian as promotion of Buy Local month.

The display will be at Beacon Business Center during the Sheridan stroll and at the Main Street Market during the Twin stroll. There will Buy Local ornaments to decorate at the display.

To round out the Buy Local month, there will be a Greater Ruby Valley Cookie Exchange at the River's Edge Art Gallery in Twin, Sun, December 19th.

The next meeting of the Buy Local group will be at 11 am in Sheridan at Beacon Business Center.

Sept. 16, 10 Meeting Minutes

2010-09-16T16:43:00.001-06:00

Minutes from September 16, 2010 meeting at Beacon Business Center, Sheridan.

Brian Curtis, Andrea Sarchet, Carol DeLisi, Cyntia Watson, Brandi Ostwald and Sarah Miller

Started with Buy Local in Ruby Valley Schools. Touching base with the schools hasn’t happened yet but will before the next meeting October 5^th, 11 am, RVNB.

We discussed the budget for Buy Local. The committee started out with $1000 from the GRVCCA coffer and the Buy Local window clings took up most of that initial amount. Carol brought up that there is a GRVCCA budget meeting in November, and we will be able to take a closer look at the Buy Local committee budget. The Buy Local committee will need to discuss fund raisers soon so that the committee can be self-sustainable.

The Buy Local display needs to move on to another local business/ service. Brian is going to ask the Twin Library about hosting next so that the display is up in Twin for the Fall Festival and Artist Reception at the Library (September 24^th).

December is Buy Local Month

The Buy Local display booth needs to be at both Strolls (Twin- Thursday December 2, Sheridan – Friday, December 3). Carol suggested the display be up in a well-visited business for each stroll with the GRVCCA booth.

Which business will host the display? Perhaps the RVNB in each town, or the Bank when in Sheridan and in the Main Street Market with Santa when in Twin. Brian also offered Beacon Business Center as an option as well.

As a fun activity, there will be (simple, inexpensive) ornament decorating at the Buy Local Booth using glitter, glue and construction paper, etc. Maybe The Old Hotel is another place that can host the booth and decorating?

Other activities during Buy Local Month:

Brian has already purchased Independent America: Search for Mom & Pop. We will try to show this documentary twice during Buy Local Month: once in Sheridan at the Library and once in Twin perhaps at the MT Room at the High School.

We want to encourage local businesses to offer Buy Local specials during Buy Local month. We also want to inform our local consumers that many businesses will special order products in for their customers. Just Ask!

There are two social events that the Buy Local committee suggests:

· Local Business Forum, an After Hours Event, which would consist of a speaker flouting successes and a panel of business owners to answer questions that would also be opened up to the audience. This is a social event to benefit business owners through networking in a casual atmosphere. Perhaps to happen at the River’s Edge Gallery.

· Local Consumers Cookie Exchange – an event that would allow our customers to get together, exchange ideas and provide the GRVCCA Buy Local group with suggestions and success stories. An opportunity for Business Owners to show appreciation for our customers. We do not yet have a venue suggestion for this event. It would be nice to have one event in Twin and one in Sheridan.

Brandi (the new Advertising and Circulation Manager for The Madisonian) referenced www.seizethedeal.com as a website that she used often to purchase items. It is a great site for us to reference for ideas that we could do here locally.

The Buy Local group plans to meet the hour before the regular Chamber Meeting: 11 am, Tuesday October 5th at RVNB in Twin.

So, activities we need to fit into the December calendar:

· Documentary Screening in Sheridan

· Documentary Screening in Twin

· Business Owner Forum

· Consumer Appreciation Cookie Exchange

Activities to promote during the Month:

· Businesses offering Buy Local specials/promotions

· 10% Shift

· Awareness and Education regarding the benefits of Buy Local

Buy Local in the Garden

2010-08-17T17:53:00.003-06:00

It was a beautiful day for a Buy Local committee meeting in Jackson's Community Garden. Brian Curtis, Marguerite Jodry, and myself (Sarah Miller) in attendance. Another small group meeting, but we will persevere. It is important to keep on with the Buy Local campaign. Diana Ransom of the online Wall Street Journal writes, "Recent research shows that buying local campaigns provide only limited and short-lived results for small businesses." Liz of the Sheridan Bakery shared with us at Jumping Rainbow, the week before Sheridan Days, that she could see a positive affect on her business which she attributed to the Greater Ruby Valley Buy Local campaign. Let's keep up the positive momentum, let's support each other. Let's not fizzle out and fade away.

The Buy Local display has been up at the Sheridan Library for the last couple of weeks. Brian has made arrangements for the display to move to the Sheridan branch of the Ruby Valley National Bank. It was decided that we need to keep the display up and moving around the community to keep pushing our cause. We must provide the information for the public, provide the community with the factual benefits of shopping locally. As we are preparing Buy Local information for the community schools, perhaps we will be able to have the display up at schools, maybe in gyms as we are coming into a brand new high school sports season.

Brian suggested a Buy Local Month. Keeping our momentum rolling, December would serve as an excellent opportunity to educate the community to the businesses and services in the area and also stimulate our local economy by encouraging the public to shop local. Our Christmas strolls already serve as great Buy Local events, we could fill the month with Buy Local activities such as movie screenings! The first of which, Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop http://www.independentamerica.net/

Brian discussed Buy Local as Public Policy and should be available for grant funds for economic development. The Buy Local program needs to be self-sustaining. There needs to be fund-raisers to keep the education process going.

Brian found a power point presentation on Buy Local which may be a guideline for Buy Local presentations for schools and groups.

There needs to be a manned Buy Local booth at both Christmas Strolls.

Brian is going to check with Greg Lemon about what happened to the Buy Local page on the Madisonian.

The Chair is going to begin working on getting together packets for the Buy Local in Our Schools campaign.

Thoughts to ponder for the future:

Buy Local Buyer's Guide

More window clings?

Buy Local: As Old As Our Community

Buy Local Summer-Style!

2010-07-15T14:06:00.004-06:00

We are all so busy these days. I wonder about what type of self-punishing people we are to live in this beautiful place, suffering through ten long months of winter and working ourselves to death sixteen hours a day during the short summers. Got to make hay while the sun shines! Yikes!

So I tip my hat to all you hard-working Ruby Valley folks. I want to acknowledge all your hard work and dedication to our community.

Because we have been so busy, I barely remembered about the Buy Local and Chamber meetings last week, July 6th. I chose not to send out a last minute email which in hind-sight was a mistake. As the chair of the committee, I will try to be better about communicating with our group and the community at large about our meetings. I am going to type the minutes below. Cynthia Watson and myself were the only people in attendance. Besides the usual suspects, I would really like to encourage members of our community to sit in on a Buy Local meeting, share your thoughts on how we in the community can work together so that we all succeed!

We decided to skip finding a display for the booth at Floating Flotilla and Fish Fantasies (4 Fs). The display is in Sheridan now; it was in the window at Beacon Business Center and the Father's Day Fly-In). Now it is in the Sheridan Library and I believe that it will stay there through Sheridan Days. Again, I have the window clings if any business owners need a stack to pass out to customers.

Float for 4Fs: Paula Gilman volunteered her canoe. I think we will fit it with a banner/sail that reads Buy Local on it. (May be incorporated with other community organizations) We need a boat captain to man the canoe.

I have contacted Aaron Griffin and Chad Johnson from the Twin Bridges Schools about Buy Local in the schools. They jumped on board and let me know that the beginning on the school year would work best timing wise. We are thinking of a poster contest for the elementary school with a $10 GRVCCA gift certificate as a prize; and a short essay contest for the high school with a $15 gift certificate prize. Mr. Johnson's suggestion was that we use the Technology Media class as a way to reach the largest audience of students.

I need to delegate someone to contact the Sheridan schools about Buy Local in the Sheridan school system. I can contact Lanaie Morgan regarding Alder. We will need to take our information on the benefits of shopping locally to put into presentation form for the schools.

We need to state again that our focus is to Buy Local when you Can! Buy local gifts for friends and family. Buy your fragrant candles locally instead at Wal*Mart. I can think of at least three businesses in Twin Bridges where you can buy large, good quality candles: Country Favorites, the Weaver's Studio and the Main Street Market.

The date of the next Buy Local meeting is yet to be determined. There is no August GRVCCA meeting.

There has been a traveling cyclist enjoying our screen gazebo for a couple of days now, thanks to our beautiful bike camp. When he asked yesterday what he should check out in town, it took me a couple of minutes to formulate a proper list. As merchants, we should be armed with this information. Even if just to say, check out the gift shop at the other end of town. We're not just Winston Rod and Yellowstone National Park. I would love to hear suggestions for fun things to do and check out in Twin Bridges! Buy Local might have to come up with a list we merchants can keep by our cash registers to share with our visiting customers, small talk conversation topics:

1) the Bike Path around the Fairgrounds, i.e. Riverside Park
2) the River's Edge Art Gallery and Learning Center
3) the Museum
4) the Library and the Library Art Wall
5) Rod shops, including Winston Rod and Sweetgrass Rods

Have our tourists, visiting family members tried all the restaurant options?
(I know this is all Twin Bridges stuff, its just where I am more knowledgeable)

a) Fried Chicken from Three Rivers Quik Stop
b) Pizza from The Shack
c) Brunch from The Old Hotel
d) Cheeseburger from the Wagon Wheel
e) Pasta from the Blue Anchor Grille
f) Soup from the Main Street Market
it seems like there is some other place you can get food...
Oh yeah, g) Breakfast Burritos from Jumping Rainbow Espresso

Treat yourself to lunch at one of our local restaurants so you can proudly tell your customers what you like to eat in the area. We must work together. Communities that work as cohesive units will best succeed during this tumultuous economic times. Send me your ideas, either as comments on the blog or to jumping_rainbow@hotmail.com. We love to hear when other businesses have recommended us!! Let's all work together!

Local Banking

2010-06-08T16:03:00.002-06:00

Benjamin wants the community to know that the Buy Local display is at the Ruby Valley National Bank in Twin Bridges. Look out for the display at the Farmer's Market, the Father's Day Fly-In and in your local businesses. If your business would like to host the display for a week please contact Sarah Miller at Jumping_Rainbow@hotmail.com. Thanks to everyone for the support and commitment to the community.

Local Yokels!

2010-06-01T15:04:00.006-06:00

Renee Elpel poses with the Buy Local Display. The Elpels volunteered Granny's Country Store in Silver Star for the first leg of the display's journey through the valley. Thank you to Renee and Tom!

And as you head into the Main Street Market this week, you may notice at the end of the aisles, the Buy Local display set up. Thank you to the Hutchinson family for helping us spread the word about the benefits of shopping locally.

And if we keep it up, and work on the 10% shift maybe the next time you see a photo of the Main Street Market, the shelves in back will be full!

Then let's fill the empty buildings in town with new businesses. The people from 300 Cellular in Butte are looking to relocate their store to Twin Bridges! And vendors are needed to fill Booth spaces at Sheridan Days happening the end of July!

Our coffee shop started our Buy Local Fridays a couple of weeks ago. The Self-Proclaimed-Buy-Local-Poster-Girl is leading the charge. Since not all local businesses give receipts, I've started giving 50 cents off when my customers share their local shopping experiences. Let's get the conversations started! Let's talk about our local economy and ways that we can strengthen the community. Let's get involved! Know of a teenage vegetable attached to the couch? Ask a GRVCCA member how kids can get involved in the community!

Coming soon from the Buy Local committee:

10% Shift:

Finding Creative Ways to Shift Ten Percent of Your Family Budget into the Local Economy.

Buy Local in the Schools:

Preparing a Buy Local Curriculum for the Ruby Valley School Systems.

Buy Local Meeting Notes- 5/18

2010-05-25T15:53:00.003-06:00

Attendees: Sarah Miller, Brian Curtis, Dennis Swier, BoB Reimard, Paula Gilman, Carol Delisi

Sarah Miller has agreed to chair this committee going forward. The next meeting is scheduled on July 6th right before the Chamber meeting. This meeting will be in Twin.

We discussed the Expo-- and the following:

* Carol will send Pat Bradley a Thank You note-- she was very active in staffing the Buy Local booth at the Expo
* There were about 82 attendees plus the vendors (~75)
* Three winners were drawn for the Ruby Valley Gift Certificate: Mike Murphy, Amanda Smail, and Evelyn Smail.
* We only had one comment on the survey: A Hobby store/Clothing store
* The other comment we had on the flipchart posted at the expo was: "Business Prices could be more competitive"-- we discussed that this will be an issue for continued consumer education and awareness and communication about the 10% shift to buying locally, the expenses of traveling
* Brian agreed to allow the Buy Local panel to travel; it will go first to the opening Farmer's Market this Sat, 5/22 and then on to Granny's Country Store in Silver Star. Paula Gilman will contact the Twin library; Carol will contact the Sheridan Library to see if the libraries would like to "host" the board for a week. The thought is to have it travel throughout the valley at different businesses.

We discussed the naming convention our our group. We decided on the Buy Local Committee of the GRVCCA and that we are in the process of creating a Buy Local Program.

We need to get a Chamber member to do the Business and Agriculture column due 5/31. Carol will contact a couple people, but if anyone else is interested please let Carol know.

Window clings will be sent out with membership packets within the next week; Carol will follow up with an email to confirm that members received their packets and that they can contact Carol or Sarah if they would like additional window clings to distribute.

Ideas to promote the Buy Local Program included Testimonials from local shoppers/ businesses as well as a multi-media program-- filmed and played on a DVD played with the Buy Local Booth ready maybe for next year's Expo.

Carol will include a notice about the Buy Local meeting with the Chamber agenda for July 6th so that perhaps we can get more participation.

Thanks Everyone!

So we have the Buy Local Booth display at Granny's Country Store right now. I'll pick it up Friday so that's it's ready for the Farmer's Market on Saturday. I wasn't able to set it up for the first of the Saturday Markets on account of the rain and drizzle. If you are interested in hosting the display please contact me. We're still always on the prowl for testimonials, experiences, thoughts, suggestions, business and service ideas. My personal quest is to put into writing a plea to the those young people born in this area who moved away to help the community in which they were raised. I will again reiterate part of what we learned from Dr. Larry Swanson at the Business Forum in Ennis at the beginning of May: the largest demographic in the population of Madison County is the 40 - 65 year old age group. They will remain and continue to be the largest demographic until they start "going over the cliff" in 2030. The smallest demographic is 20 -35 year olds. My concern is...when these 65 year old "middle-aged" retired persons start to need in-home health care, cleaning services, food services, etc etc etc, who will provide those services??? If the young guys are in their 40s now and there are no more young people returning here after they attend college out of state, who will care for this aging population?

I am stating it again: We export our children. We tell them that the best they can do is to leave our Ruby Valley community and get jobs in Texas, Portland, Boise, back East, traveling the world. Go to college to get that Liberal Arts degree, start life owing money, instead of learning a trade where they could always be guaranteed a job-- massage, cosmetology, mechanicin'. If the boomers don't figure out how to keep young people here, how to attract young people to our area, those aging persons will have to be exported to some place with large care facilities. If 65 is middle-aged, and the Boomers could potentially live to be 130, we will need people to care for that enormous number of elderly persons.

At my father-in-law's Draft Horse Equipment Auction a few years back, my husband and I had the occasion to haul equipment to Halfway, Oregon. The Maders who were happy that we could haul a grader for 'em, spoke so highly of their community that was "actively seeking young people to move to our area" that Justin and I still dream of moving to Halfway, halfway between nowhere and nowhere, hours from the nearest town, traveling the windy Oregon Hell's Canyon. Halfway, a town where you can buy 20 acres with a nice farm house for $40,000. Halfway, a town where elk walk through the hayfields. If that community can be on the ball, actively trying to attract young people who want to farm with Horse Power, maybe our Ruby Valley community can try the same tack...maybe we should try to attract young people to stay here, create a livelihood, raise children and take care of the elderly. Maybe we can dig deep and find reasons for young people to live here.

Buy Local Booth at Expo

2010-05-16T13:16:00.002-06:00

What a great opportunity to network with other local businesses! My day was spent running drink orders from the coffee shop to the Expo at the Fairgrounds and then checking in on the Buy Local Booth. Thank you to Pat Bradley for manning the booth!

I was pleased to see that we gave away almost all of the coloring books. I will pass out copies for restaurants in the area. If anyone would like a coloring book, please contact me.

It sure would be great to keep the Buy Local display up in the community for a while. Maybe businesses would take a turn showcasing the displaying for a week at a time, and it could rotate through the valley. Education is lifelong and keeping the quotes, the statistics and the benefits of buying locally up for the public to view regularly would really help to send home our message:

Spend your money where your home and heart are!

Buy Local!!!

Local Business Expo

2010-05-08T11:54:00.003-06:00

Make sure to check out the Local Business Expo Saturday, May 15th, 10 am - 3 pm!

Look for the Buy Local booth at the Expo where you will find a survey/drawing polling our community for what Businesses, Services, and/or Goods are needed in the Greater Ruby Valley. Also at the Buy Local booth, the Buy Local coloring book for kids, lots and lots of information on the benefits of buying locally, and the Buy Local window clings!

And if you have the time, read up on the notes from the Business Forum that happened in Ennis on May 6th. There was lots of information regarding the economy of Madison County and it was a fun social event: a nice, relaxed atmosphere in which Business owners could swap ideas and successes.

What is the key to success as we move away from the economic crash of December 2007?

Community Cohesion and Beautification Projects

Catering to the Baby Boomer Population that makes up the majority of our community and will only continue to do so until "they start to go over the cliff" in 2030.

How do we keep our young population here?

We export our children after high school. There are few job opportunities for them here in our area. How do we keep the 20 to 34 year olds here in the Ruby Valley?

By supporting local businesses!

Buy Local, Try Local!

2010-04-25T13:51:00.002-06:00

My husband looked all over the place for the right flourescent tubes for our coffee shop. One phone call to Mountain Building Center in Twin: "Yep, we have it." Maybe instead of looking all around Butte, Dillon and Bozeman, try the local source first. Heck, maybe they're even cheaper!

Some food for thought from Dennis Swier of The Madisonian:

How much do you "SAVE" when you don't

BUY LOCAL?

Travel Cost from Twin Bridges to Bozeman

86.73 miles EACH way total miles 173.46

FUEL ONLY cost = $19. 78

The IRS allows $0.55 per mile

TOTAL COST = $95.40

Travel Cost from Sheridan to Butte

62.80 miles EACH way total miles 125.6

FUEL ONLY cost = 14.26

The IRS allows $0.55 per mile

TOTAL cost = $69.08

Both examples are based on the gas price for regular gas

as of March 30, 2010. Based on 25 mpg; mileage based on MapQuest routing.

If you drive to save, you are wasting your time, car, and fuel.

You will need to "save" more than 35% on a $200.00 shopping trip

to come out even!!

I'm still looking for artists and contributions for the Buy Local coloring book. We're a little heavy on Twin Bridges contributions. I've asked a couple of teachers for school in the community art. I need some "Ranching" pictures and/or "Prospecting" pictures. I have a May 1st deadline.

Speaking of artists, there is an artist Co-Op in the works in Twin Bridges, headed up by Therese Hutchinson. The TBCA is looking for local artists interested in showcasing their artwork in a co-op gallery.

Cling-ons and Coloring Books

2010-04-11T17:35:00.003-06:00

I wanted to show how a photo looked with the coloring book feature for those businesses interested in having a photo of their business turned into a page in the coloring book. Coloring books and crayons will be distributed at the Local Business Expo, May 15th. I'm asking for coloring book art/photos be submitted by May 1st, please. After that, the coloring books will be made available to restaurants and businesses who would like to have them. There will eventually be a link to the pages on this blog. The coloring book pages will be available to anyone.

At our last Buy Local meeting, we agreed on the amount of window clings to be ordered for the Expo and for Chamber members and which design will be printed first. We also discussed a survey/drawing to be held at the Expo, polling the public:
What businesses and services would you like to see in our community?
How can local businesses improve?

There is a lot of positive energy in the air as we slowly move closer to summer and warm weather. Lots of ideas traveling the waves...thought of the weekend:

Mom and Pop, making a comeback!!

Any Day

2010-03-18T20:05:00.007-06:00

I was so proud of myself. Quickly put out a first page for the coloring book that could double as advertisement for artists for the coloring book and I completely missed the typo! I will have to run around town fixing my posters, inserting the number 4.

The Buy Local Program is looking for artists interested in submitting art suitable for a coloring book format, showcasing local businesses and services.

Two days ago, I emailed Beacon Business Center requesting printer cartridges. They promptly replied to my email: the cartridges would be in the next day, they could be delivered and they were cheaper than Staples!! I picked up my cartridges today and was thrilled with the merchandise available. Purchase your crayons and Sharpies from a local source, boost the local economy!

On my way to Sheridan, I drove past Bonnie Hegdal's place. When I saw her out there on her decades old John Deere, throwing out flakes of hay to her cows and new calves, my immediate reaction was to pull over. I continued on to Sheridan, ran my errands, and thank goodness, she was still out there when I headed back to Twin. I am no photographer and failed to capture her beauty and strength. She has 14 grans and several great-grans and this Granny runs her small farm, all on her own, each and every day. She started calvin' January 15th, had less than 8 days off then went into lambin'. A ewe knocked her down last week. Knowing that I can't work half that hard, watching her fidget at her appearance, showing off my baby boy in my runnin' round town garb...I should have offered to help her out, shrugged off my personal responsibilities and walked around with her for the day.

She sells her excess eggs; my mom's been a customer for years. She used to take her eggs over to the Co-op in Bozeman, but since Bozeman passed an ordinance allowing backyard fowl within city limits, Bonnie's egg sales have dropped off. She's been able to take them to the Main Street Market, and I hope to use her eggs in my coffee shop. Did I mention that she cleans commercial buildings in Twin and Sheridan 7 - 8 hours a day? Wonder Woman be damned! Give me a Montana Woman, any old day, any old time!

And...Bonnie is looking for a tom turkey.

Birthday, Local

2010-03-17T15:40:00.009-06:00

How are you doing? How is it going? What local purchases have you made lately that make you especially proud? I want to hear your stories and accomplishments. Please post comments or shoot me an email at jumping_rainbow@hotmail.com.

I'm tryin' my darndest to do as much shopping locally as I possibly can. This day in age, it is impossible to shop 100% locally, or even 100% Made in the USA. American televisions just aren't the same. My hat is off to those purists who don't need a CD player. While venturing to Butte or Bozeman once in a while, and even doing a little bit of internet shopping, I have an intention to buy as many birthday presents from local merchants as I possibly can. I'm putting that out there as a challenge for those interested in finding creative ways to increase the local economy. Instead of schlepping to Wal*Mart for a Made in China plastic toy, maybe the local gift shop has something unique and personal, hand-crafted and creative. One of my favorite local shops for gifts is Granny's Country Store in Silver Star. Tom and Renee Elpel have an awesome collection of outdoor, DIY, educational, environmental, economic, etc books. They have great gifts, especially for those people in our lives that love the outdoors.

While we struck out last week looking for a coloring book in Twin Bridges, we found cute presents at Country Favorites. You should really check out the collect ables and Deb Hansen's new Quilting Machine. I'm so pleased that Deb and Country Favorites are taking on the task of making the cloth napkins and reusable sandwich bags for our espresso shop. (I borrowed the idea from several different mom blogs.) I think that besides being a green facet in our shop, they will also make a wonderful addition to picnic baskets. Anyone else ready for summer?

Speaking of coloring books, the Buy Local program is looking for local artists to come up with ink drawings for our Buy Local coloring book.

I received great customer service from Beacon Business Center and Hengeworks this week: Fast, courteous and really affordable!

Why Blog? Why Buy Local?

2010-03-05T12:19:00.012-07:00

A technology-phobe, I am a neophyte stumbling through the new formats made available via the interweb. I have just returned to my writing after a long period of college burn out, and as our little family grows and our business ventures blossom, I am excited to use the blog format to share. I am also excited that the blog can serve as a message board, a Buy Local Broker, and a means to communicate the Buy Local program happenings with the public. There are a million reasons to Buy Local. Our community cannot survive if we don't support our local businesses. We should be proud of our community and our personal contributions to this community.

Why blog?

Since involving myself in the goings-on with the Chamber of Commerce (GRVCCA) and the Twin Bridges Community Association (TBCA), I have heard many times that same statement that I was known to utter before I dove in: "I don't blog." My reason for this utterance was lack of knowledge. I wasn't really sure what blogging was, what a blog was, or what purpose it served. A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing and I didn't do too much research before I created our family blog. I read in a mothering magazine about creating a blog as an easy way to keep the extended family informed as to the development of the babies. You know, a way to share the messy first foods pictures, the playing dress-up pictures, the stories of baby's first steps.

So, I checked out the blog sites that were mentioned in the magazine and then looked into other friends and family members' blogs. As I understand it, in my limited research and knowing, blogging is a way to publish your writing, pictures, work on the web for others to view and it's free. Being able to publish your work on the web, in a convenient, affordable manner is pretty cool.

Which I guess brings us to why Buy Local? I fell in love with Buy Local after reading Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The year that non-fiction work was published, locavore was Webster's word of the year. Both the book and the term refer to food and encourage eating as many foods from local sources as possible. According to the locavores website, "our food travels an average of 1500 miles" before it reaches our plates. Starting with eating more local foods is a great introduction to shopping locally, but it extends way beyond food.

There was a time that you had to buy local but these days it's a choice. You can choose to spend your dollars outside of the community in which you live, outsourcing your dollars as it were, or you can support local businesses by doing a little more shopping locally. Through the Buy Local program, your local businesses are working together to support each other and working to make themselves more appealing and accessible to the public.

"Spend Your Money Where Your Heart and Home Are."

One feature I was hoping for through the Buy Local program was a Buy Local Broker. As a new business owner, I have needs for services, products, and connections, and as the self-proclaimed Buy Local Poster Girl, I have a need to be connected to the community. I originally thought the Buy Local Broker would be a person, but as I have begun my plunge into community inner-workings, even in this shallow water stage, I can see that I cannot ask a member of the community to serve that role. Everyone already has enough on their plate. If I am wrong and there is a person that would be perfect for the position please let me know. Otherwise, what I have decided is that this blog could serve that role. The blog could be a place for networking and community connection. You don't have to blog, you just have to read what's posted on a web page.

Why Buy Local? As a new business owner, if the community does not buy from me, my small business will fail. That simple statement applies to every other business on Main Street, on the back road, out of town, out in the hills, upstairs and down the alley. If we don't support our local businesses they can't survive. This is a beautiful, safe, caring community. It's easy to show our pride in the community by increasing our local spending by ten percent.

Introduction to the Ruby Valley Buy Local Program

2010-03-03T14:24:00.010-07:00

Emphasis: Support Local Business

The Buy Local Program is a creation of the Greater Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (GRVCCA). As of the March meeting of the GRVCCA, there have been two Buy Local meetings in which the following was discussed among those in attendance:

Objectives

1) Make consumers aware of the goods and services available locally.

2) Re-educate consumers about the benefits of buying locally.

Guiding Priniciples

1) Recognize that shopping 100% local is not feasible; petition families to increase their local purchases by 10 percent.

2) The impetus of buying locally is a SHARED responsibility between businesses and consumers.

3) Buying locally is also a responsibility between businesses to buy from each other and to promote each other to customers.

Action Items

Why do you feel it is so important to
buy locally in the Greater Ruby Valley?

A list of compiled, anonymous answers will be a facet of the first GRVCCA column of the Business Page of The Madisonian. Please contact Carol Delisi cdelisi@3rivers.net or Jim Deavel jim.deavel@hengeworks.com with your own and your neighbors' answers to the quesion:
"Why is it important to buy local?"

Business Page

Greg Lemon editor@madisoniannews.com and Dennis Swier, Advertising Representative dennis@madisoniannews.com, of The Madisonian are excited to work with the GRVCCA Buy Local Program. The Business Page will also include "Business Profies," Buy Local information/benefits, an area for advertising and rotating every three weeks between the three Chambers of Commerce (Ennis, Virginia City, and the GRVCCA) a business column from one of the three chambers.

Logos

Brian Curtis of Beacon Business Center and Dennis Swier of The Madisonian are working on mock-ups of a logo. Their logos were share at the March GRVCCA meeting, and one of the goals of the logo is that it makes a nice sticker/bumper sticker.

Other Buy Local Ideas

Share business information through the GRVCCA
Buy Local logo/slogan in local schools
Buy Local booth at Local Business Expo
Local business directory
Local business promotions
Brokerage of consumers and services
Communicating the needs of the consumers so that merchants are able to meet those needs
Partnering with Ennis and VC chambers
Encouraging businesses to move to the area
Encourage economic growth in the community
Buy Local refers to RETAIL and SERVICE businesses
Encourage community to shop locally through Ruby Valley Bucks or model after Ruby Valley Reruns, which offers a $2 discount to those customers who produce a receipt from a local business.

Conclusion

This is an exciting program for our community. I'm afraid if we don't encourage shopping locally and business growth that our wonderful community will implode. We educate our children here, raise them here in this safe community, now let's keep the kids here by offering opportunity: shopping and business opportunity, opportunity to be an individual and a member of the greater community, opportunity and reason to remain apart of the Greater Ruby Valley!

Let's Buy Local!!