Local Shopping Helps Thunder Bay Economy Grow

THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – Choose Thunder Bay First is the message from Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson. A new program from the Chamber of Commerce launched early in December reminds local residents of the benefits of shopping locally.

For the local economy, shopping locally has a very positive impact on the local marketplace and our local economy.

Robinson shares that “Each dollar spent in a local business multiplies up to five times in the local economy.”

A group of Chamber members gathered together to introduce the Choose TBay First campaign, which asks shoppers to consider the many good reasons to visit local merchants before looking to the internet or over the US border for their purchases. The campaign, which is primarily being conducted on Facebook through the ChooseTBayFirst page, features a mix of awareness messaging and special offers and promotions from participating local merchants.

Chamber President Charla Robinson says, “There are many good reasons to shop local to support the local economy, but this campaign also focuses on the benefits to the shoppers themselves. Shopping at a local business gives you the opportunity to examine your purchases first hand for quality and suitability and allows you to know what you are getting before you buy.” Subscribers and supporters on Facebook will be rewarded with prizes from local merchants, offered discounts and specials for shopping local, and receive fun reminders about the “invisible benefits” of shopping in bricks-and-mortar storefronts.

The message from the Chamber is a simple one, shopping at home this holiday season provides jobs for our friends and family members.

The program, open to all Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce members allows local businesses to sign up, and the Chamber shares that information on the www.choosetbayfirst.com website as well as daily updates to the Choose Thunder Bay First Facebook page.