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Did You Know?
What Can I Do?
You Could Win a Getaway in the ShopMIDowntown Holiday Challenge
by Lisa Diggs
There are many ways to keep the majority of your dollars in Michigan during the holiday season. Where you chose to shop can have as much impact on our economy as what you choose to buy. That's one great reason to visit downtowns and main streets across the state.
Local shopping districts are typically home to far more independently owned businesses than large shopping malls are, and those businesses frequently carry more locally produced products which make for truly unique gifts.
That's why a coalition of statewide groups is issuing the ShopMIDowntownHoliday Challenge to all Michigan residents. The challenge asks individuals and organizations to do 75% of their shopping this holiday season in downtowns and Michigan Main Street© Districts, then go online and share their favorite downtown Michigan holiday shopping experience to become eligible for a random drawing that offers five weekend getaway packages at Michigan hotels.
Michigan residents are being asked to share their stories, photos and videos of their 2010 downtown holiday shopping trips with the public through the campaign’s Facebook page. People who post pictures or video of their experience will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win an overnight stay at one of the following establishments:
The Ramsdell Inn in downtown Manistee
The Doherty Hotel in downtown Clare
The National House Inn in downtown Marshall
The Water Street Inn in downtown Boyne City
The Cartland Carriage House Bed & Breakfast in downtown Hart.
A 2008 study conducted for Think Local First in Grand Rapids, by Civic Economics, reported that $73 out of every $100 spent locally stayed within the community, as opposed to $43 of every $100 spent in a business that was not locally owned.
The study also found that if consumers spent just 10 percent more in locally owned businesses, the economic impact could reach $140 million and result in up to 1600 new jobs in the Grand Rapids market alone (http://www.localfirst.com/why_local_first/).
Those are some pretty compelling reasons to shop locally. If Michigan-made products, great economic impact, and a chance to win cool prizes aren't compelling enough reasons to visit nearby downtowns, consider this...it's just plain fun! There is a crispness in the air, often complimented by great music, tantalizing tastes and smells, friendly people, special events, and of course fabulous decorations. Each town tends to do something special during the holidays and the atmosphere can often restore the joy to gift giving, rather than a stressful trip to a crowded mall.
Buy Michigan Now is proud to be a member of the ShopMIDowntownHoliday Challenge coalition, which also includes the Michigan Main Street Center @ Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA), the Michigan Municipal League (MML), the Community Economic Developer’s Association of Michigan (CEDAM), The National Trust’s Main Street Center, Main Street Oakland County, and Local First.
Bring your family, a camera, and some cash, and go support a locally owned business today. You'll have a great time and you cold win a chance to get away!
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