Chamber Launches 'Buy Local' Initiative

The has launched a new “Buy Local” campaign to encourage area residents to shop near where they live and work.

The chamber has set up a new Facebook page to highlight local businesses and is distributing hundreds of “Buy Local” stickers for merchants to place in their storefronts.

“When you shop locally, it helps expand the local economy, because it brings the revenue here, and then the jobs here,” said Claire Louder, the chamber’s president and CEO.  

Louder said she considers anything in Anne Arundel County local, but ideally, residents will shop as close to their home or office as possible.

The chamber is a supporter of the 3/50 Project, which encourages people to frequent at least three local, independent businesses each month and spend $50 there. The 3/50 project estimates that for every $100 spent at a local and independent store, $68 returns to the community. For national chains, that figure is $43, while online merchants are said to bring nothing in return.