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Month: November 2018

The latest from the Chamber, our members, and Jefferson County

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Take The “Chamber Challenge” This Holiday Season!

The Chamber recently announced its, “Chamber Challenge” for the 2018 holiday season. “Sometimes it helps to give people ideas for specific things that they can do to help,” said Tricia Maple, Chamber president. “So rather than just promoting the overall concept of buying locally this holiday season, we came up with a simple list of three action items.”

The first is to challenge yourself to purchase at least one fourth of your holiday gifts locally. Seek out and explore our local businesses, think outside the box for unique items and if you are purchasing gift cards, buy them from a local business. And if you must purchase gift cards to a national chain, purchase them at a local grocery store. Those dollars will still be kept somewhat local.

Second, patronize a business that you’ve never been to before. From downtown Steubenville to Hollywood City Center, Toronto, Mingo, Richmond and everywhere in between, there is no doubt a new (or long time) business that you’ve never been to. Make it a point to seek out at least one and make a purchase, meet the owner or manager and give them a chance to earn your repeat business.

Last, if you are headed out of town for any reason, gas up at a local gas station and eat locally before you leave. By filling your tank and your belly locally (and on a regular basis) you’re pumping money into the local economy.

Buying locally just makes good sense and the holidays are a great time to start making it a daily habit. “I say it all the time but it’s worth repeating”, Maple continued. “We can’t expect our local businesses to support us, our kids’ activities and sports teams, our churches and charities, our events and fundraisers and then not support them when making a purchase. It’s unlikely that Amazon is going to give you a gift card for your spaghetti dinner door prize table and doubtful that a Pittsburgh business is going to buy an ad in your school’s football program. Support those who support you and think local first.”

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Small Business Saturday – November 24

Small Business Saturday is a nationally celebrated shopping event that takes place across the United States. on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The day is intended to encourage American shoppers to consider buying from small retailers and merchants as they check off their holiday gift lists. American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 as a promotional effort designed to encourage consumers to support businesses which creates jobs, boosts the economy, and preserves downtown districts and neighborhoods around the country. The timing of this annual shopping event is intentional, as it always occurs on the 4th Saturday of November, following “Black Friday,” and prior to the recently established “Cyber Monday” shopping events.
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce uses “Small Business Saturday” as the kick off to its, “Shift Your Shopping” programs. The chamber will have “stations” in place throughout the county that day to hand out coffee, doughnuts, coupons and other giveaways. Watch your weekly newsletter and email for details. For a complete list of “Shift Your Shopping” activities that you and your employees can get involved in, click here.
New this year is a free program from American Express that allows small businesses to create custom signs, social media posts and videos with just the click of a button. (The banner ad at the top of this article was created this way.) Click below to get started. And check out event more ideas, products and free resources that you can use for Small Business Saturday, through the holiday season and year-round by clicking here.

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