The following is a message from the Prince George Chamber of Commerce:
We always hear about the value of shopping local. How a dollar spent with a local business is immediately reinvested into the community; how we support part time employment, a robust economy, gain sponsor dollars for our local sports clubs, and add local flavour to our City. Well, you know what? All of the above is completely true...and more important than ever that we keep those thoughts in our minds when we make purchasing decisions.
The current health crisis impacting everyone is taking a particular toll on small and medium sized local businesses. They have invested their futures, savings and lives into delivering a product or service to the community that was clearly needed - so it must still be needed now.
Statistically speaking, BC has the largest segment of entrepreneurs and SME's (small to medium enterprise) in Canada. Disproportionately so, you might say. In fact, 90% of all business in BC is an SME. Staggering when you consider the implications of social isolation, self-quarantine and toilet paper hoarding.
As we face the issues of today together, we must remember that these SME's have supported us through the years, as noted above, so let's all come together and support them as much as we can.
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce and our partners have created a website that lists all of the local businesses that are open to serve you, the additional processes they have put in place (when available) and some of the unique offers they are making to help ensure your local dollars are spent with local retailers.
Our local businesses are going above and we, as consumers, should be reciprocating.
So, the simple questions is: What can I do?
The answer is not as complicated as you might think.
1) Go to www.pgchamber.bc.ca and click on the COVID-19 icon on the homepage. This will take you to the page that lists not only the business readiness tools, grants, loans and information but, most importantly, a listing of local businesses ready to serve you, your family and your business;
2) When making your purchasing decisions, engage one of the local businesses open to serve you;
3) Recount your positive local business stories on social media - tag the PG Chamber, one or all of the local media outlets, and use the hashtag #SupportPG. We have to tell the stories of these businesses;
4) Engage your networks and share stories of local business, and the value of your support;
5) Keep supporting local!
We are all in this together. And together we can ensure the longevity of our local businesses by taking very simple steps. So, remember, every dollar spent at a local business is reinvested into our community #SupportPG
