15 Ways to Celebrate Buy Michigan Week!

We're thrilled that Governor Granholm has issued a proclamation officially designating the week of July 27th as Buy Michigan Week across the state.  The purpose of designating a specific week is to shine a spotlight on the many great Michigan-based companies and Michigan-made products that consumers and organizations have to choose from when making purchasing decisions. 

Most Michiganders want to keep more of our money inside the state to strengthen the economy, but it is not always easy to know what's available.  By designating a special week, we hope to encourage people to take a moment to learn more and make a special effort to try out local products and services.  Here are some ideas we have for how to participate in and celebrate Buy Michigan Week.  Please feel free to make a comment and tell us what you plan to do to be a part of this economic revolution.

• Attend, entertain, volunteer, or become a vendor at the first anuual Buy Michigan Now Festival in downtown Northville.  The festival will celebrate and highlight positive developments happening around the state.  To volunteer, please send an email to info@BuyMichiganNow.com and include "volunteer" in the subject line.  Click here to download a vendor/exhibitor form. 
• Submit an editorial, letter to the editor, or comment to your favorite newspaper or online site encouraging people to buy locally.
• Buy fresh Mchigan produce at a farmers' market in your area or a local, Michigan-owned grocery store.
• Ask your favorite restaurants and stores to carry more Michigan-made wine, beer, and food.
• Invite friends for a Buy Michigan Now BBQ and serve up all local foods.  See our Grocery Guide for great ideas on what to serve.
• Download our free flyers, posters, or shelf tags to help create a celebration in your own community.
• Create a special event at your own business to highlight Michigan products.
• Invest in Michigan's expanding "green" industry by contacting your local energy provider to purchase renewable energy.
• Make a point to stop into your 3 favorite locally-owned businesses during Buy Michigan Week, and tell them we sent you.
• Search our Michigan Blue Pages for the products and services your family needs.
• Invite friends and family from out of state to come visit!
• Talk to your kids about the benefits of buying locally and taking pride in their home state.
• Test out a Michigan product or service that you've never tried before.
• Tell everyone you know that July 27th-August 2nd is Buy Michigan Week and ask them to help you spread the word through email, Twitter, Facebook, and good old fashioned conversation!

Naturally, we're working toward making every week a Buy Michigan Week, but until that time comes, we appreciate your support in making this first official one a huge success!!  Please, get involved, and then tell us what you're doing.  By the way, if you haven't added your name to our list of supporters on the Pledge page, now is a great time to do that too and help us show Michigan companies that we are serious about supporting them with our dollars if they are serious about keeping and creating jobs here.  Also, don't forget to join our friends at Motor City Connect for Blood, Sweat & Gear!