By Donna Wright
Whitewater DOTR Rocky Reporter

How does this sound?  A newspaper with a thicker job opportunities section than a real estate for sale section.  Neighbors who are doing well in their homes and businesses.  A downtown with no empty storefronts.

It’s rare to find a single issue that no matter what someone’s political alignments, income, family size, or any other demographic, everyone agrees on.  But this is one of them—nobody wants to see their town struggling.

But the truth is, ours is.

Businesses Band Together with Think Local Campaign
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent, Whitewater Register
 
Hoping to bolster the local economy, Whitewater business leaders recently unveiled an initiative designed to promote the virtues of supporting local shopkeepers throughout  the city.
 
After nearly a year of planning, a committee earlier this summer unveiled an awareness campaign, "think Whitewater - Buy Local."  Officials from two organizations - the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Whitewater, Inc. - are behind the initiative.
 
Some of the committee members displayed a banner and float in the city's Fourth of July parade to help get the word out about the effort.
 
Ongoing visuals - including bumper stickers, buttons and banners - are also in the works.  Additionally, organizers are preparing literature to share why shopping in Whitewater is important.
 
Ron Binning, who chairs the committee, said a number of factors - including the current state of the economy - prompted the decision to launch the campaign. 
 
"People aren't spending money right now," said Binning, owner of Binning & Dickens Insurance.  "The Walmarts of this world will survive the recession, the the independent business guy is hanging on by his fingernails."
 
A 2008 Retail Coach Study of Whitewater revealed about $430 million is spent outside the community annually by the residents, usually in such nearby communities as Janesville and Madison.  In addition to decreasing that figure, organizers are hoping to raise awareness of other factors.
 
 In a recent City Manager's Report, Kevin Brunner pointed out national studies have revealed that for every $100 spent in locally-owned shops, $68 dollars is funneled directly back into the community in a number of ways, including payroll.  On average, $43 of every $100 is returned to the community for national chains.  Shopping online means nothing goes back to the community. 
 
"What we want to do is educate people and let them know how much money leaves this community when they shop elsewhere," said committee member Kim Scharine, owner of GMA Printing Inc.  "Part of that entails letting people know how easy it is to find stuff right here in Whitewater."
 
Scharine said literature is being drafted, and one item will include a compilation of the different products and services available to residents.
 
Organizers also are hoping to compete more aggressively with the Walmart in town by banding together, advertising and sharing how a stop to the local merchant can yield numerous positive results, including a more green-friendly lifestyle since less gas would be used.
 
"Were planning to have a number of get-togethers - a sort of meet and greet where business owners and residents can talk with one another," Scharine said.  "It's a whole different story when you meet people and form a friendship."
 
Binning said the committee has its work cut out for it as it attempts to dispel such notions as Walmart and other big-box retailers always being the low-price leaders in town.
 
"Were certainly calling on our local citizenry to support us," Binning said.  "This is an attempt to get people to change their mindsets, or at least give people an option to check out the local economy."
 
Binning noted that similar initiatives are being launched in other communities.
 
"Local economies need some tender love right now," Binning said.  "Theoretically, every small town should have something like this.  These businesses are creating the small town feel that we all like."

YOU ARE HEREBY CHALLENGED TO EAT LOCAL

As summer in Wisconsin comes to an end, we have thoughts of school starting and the last of the summer heat.   August/September are also EAT LOCAL, AMERICAN challenge.  The Challenge was started in Minneapolis/St. Paul and has spread to 25 States.  Participants are challenged to eat LOCAL for at least 30 days, incorporating as many local products as they can.  The goal is to discover how easy and inexpensive it can be.
 
Besides supporting local farmers, eating locally grown food lowers your carbon footprint.   Local food is always fresher and just tastes better, and who doesn't want that?  Eating local is not anymore expensive or inconvenient than anything else.  Easting local can open the door to understanding how meaningful our food choices are and how many areas those choices reach - economically and environmentally.
 
Besides the obvious places such as The Sentry Food Store and Dan's Meat Market, don't forget the Farmer's Market, Rollie Cooper's Stand, Carmen Marsh's Stand, Skelly Stand and all of the other Stands in and around Whitewater. And opening this Fall...The Whitewater Market, an addition to theGuild ontheTriangle on Whitewater Street, featuring local and regional bread, cheese, wine, specialty foods, soy based candles and soaps, green cleaning & personal products.

While we are on the subject of Eating Local, be sure to try the Local Restaurants and Coffee Shops in Whitewater:  Great variety, great service, and great prices.
 
When you buy Local Food or Eat Locally, your dollars stay Local which helps the local economy, minimizes your overall energy consumption, and helps make Whitewater the town where we Love.
 
Eat Local, Buy Local, and Be Local.
   
Click Here to view & print Buy Local Flier

WI  www.shopwhitewaterfirst.com