March 2011


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The Horizon

 

 

 

March 2011

  

CALENDARof events……………………………………………………… April 2011

May 2011

1—”Know What’s In Your Backyard”—11:30am-1:00 pm at the Brandon Performing Arts Center

3—Executive Committee—8:30am at the Chamber

March 2011

4—Marketing Committee—8:30am at the Chamber

5—Executive Committee—8:30am at the Chamber

5—Public Relations Committee—8:00am at the Chamber

6—Marketing Committee—8:30am at the Chamber

10—Chamber Board—8:00am at the Chamber

7—Public Relations Committee—8:00am at the Chamber

18–Fundraising Committee—8:30am at the Chamber

12—Chamber Board—8:00am at the Chamber

19—Chamber Mixer—5:00-6:30 pm at Home Federal Bank 1305 E. Cedar St

14—Chamber Mixer—5:00-6:30 pm at Comfort Inn 1105 N. Splitrock Blvd.

26—Issues Management Committee—8:00am at the Chamber

20–Fundraising Committee—8:30am at the Chamber 21—Town Hall Meeting with US Representative Kristi Noem —6:30-8:30 pm at the Brandon Performing Arts Center

What’s INSIDE Did You Know? Cutting, Breaking & Mixing it Up! Part-time Temporary Administrative Assistant Position Available

28—Issues Management Committee—8:00am at the Chamber

Annual Banquet 9th Annual Golf & Wine Outing  

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Calendar of Events

Survey Finds “Buy Local” Message Benefiting Independent Businesses For the fourth year in a row, a national survey of independent businesses has found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign have experienced markedly stronger revenue growth compared to those located in areas without such a campaign.

First groups are now underway in about 140 cities nationwide. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year, while 24% said it had stayed the same and only 3% said it had decreased.

The survey, which was conducted over an 8-day period in January, gathered data from 2,768 independent businesses, including retailers, service providers, restaurants and others. It found that those in places with a "buy local" initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere.

Business owners in cities with active "buy local" campaigns reported a wide range of positive impacts on their business. Almost half reported that the campaign had brought new customers to their business and 55% said it had made existing customers more loyal. More than two-thirds said local media coverage of independent businesses had increased and 51% said that local government officials were now more aware and supportive of the needs of independent businesses.

Among independent retailers, which accounted for nearly half the respondents, there was a similar gap in holiday sales performance, with those in "buy local" communities seeing a 5.2% increase in holiday sales, while those elsewhere reported an average gain of 0.8%.

Continued on page 2...

"Buy local" campaigns run by Independent Business Alliances and Local

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events!

Thursday, March 24th

Friday, June 17th

Wednesday, July 13th

Saturday, August 6th

Kim Cerwick, Executive Director Lindsey Barwald, Administrative Assistant

BVACC Staff President, Paul VanDeBerg, Alliance Communications Vice President, Anthony Siemonsma, Edward Jones Secretary, John Small, Sunny Radio Past President, Kevin Thelen, First National Bank Jeff Bowar, Sanford Health Harry Buck, Town & Country Realtors Sandy DeZeeuw, Home Federal Bank Laura Kuehl, Bethany Meadows Steve Tripp, McKinneyOlson Insurance Beth Wooten, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

BVACC Board of Directors Horizon is an official publication of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce www.brandonvalleychamber.com (605)582-7400 ~ [email protected]

The Horizon

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Welcome

… “Buy Local” continued

Comments from survey participants highto the Family! lighted key challenges facing independSimmons Virtual Assistant ent businesses, including the weak economy and government policies that often favor their large competitors. Yet businesses active in "buy local" initiatives repeatedly cited these efforts as making a difference in their survival and success. "It is abundantly clear to me that a March 29th greater percentage of the public is at7:00 pm tuned to the value of supporting local independents compared to just a couple City Council Chamber years ago," noted one Arizona business Candidates: owner.

Mayoral Forum

Mayor Larry Beesely Ward II Alderman Dan Mostek The survey was conducted by the Insti-

Did you KNOW? You can share Hot Deals, that you find on the Chamber website with your friends. It’s just a click away! How? Go to the Chamber website, www.brandonvalleychamber.com, click on the red “Hot Deals” icon at the top of the page, and check out the great Hot Deals! Then click on the share option icons that are at the top of each Hot Deal. You can share through email, FaceBook and Twitter! Wondering how those Hot Deals got there? As part of your Chamber membership you receive free Hot Deals, Events, and Job Postings on our website. Just log in to the members only area and post your information. Don’t know your username and password? No Problem! Just call the Chamber office and we would be glad to give it to you. The number of visits to these areas on our site are climbing so be sure to post your hot deals, events and job openings today!

Share:

March 2011

tute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit research and educational organization, in partnership with dozens of national and local business organizations, including the American Booksellers Association, Alliance of Independent Media Stores, American Independent Business Alliance, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, National Bicycle Dealers Association, and TriMega Purchasing Association. Similar surveys over the last three years likewise found that independent businesses in cities with active "buy local" campaigns reported stronger sales gains than those in communities without such initiatives. "This survey adds to the growing body of evidence that people are increasingly seeking out independent businesses and that shift is having a tangible impact on the bottom line," said Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. "For the fourth year in a row, independent retailers in communities with active 'shop local' campaigns have shown stronger sales than retailers in communities without such campaigns," said American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher. "More and more shoppers are voting in favor of independent retailers with their spending, proving that they recognize that bigger is not always better -- and making clear that they value a strong, unique, and vibrant community.

The potential for locally owned businesses committed to working together could not be greater."

The Horizon

CUTTING, BREAKING &

Independent business alliances and 'buy local' campaigns are becoming a basic tool for independent businesses to help differentiate themselves from their bigbox and Internet competition by highlighting their meaningful connection to the community," said Kathleen McHugh, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. "Once consumers understand why supporting local business is important to their community, they connect it to why they live where they do." "Small, local businesses generate the majority of new jobs in the U.S.," said Michelle Long, Executive Director of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. "Buy Local First campaigns help bring these businesses and residents together to build community health and wealth -- from the bottom up."

(Source: The 01/27/11)

New

Rules

Project,

March 2011

Mixing it up!

Mixer at Tailgator’s February 24

"This survey offers further proof that, with sustained efforts, communities can indeed raise local consciousness and build a culture of support for local entrepreneurs," said Jennifer Rockne, executive director of the American Independent Business Alliance. "Remarkably, most of the campaigns operated by Independent Business Alliances are funded by businesses paying $20 or less per month in dues. They're getting quite a return on their investment." "We are encouraged by the positive impact, as well as the positive change in consumer behavior our members are seeing as a result of 'Buy Local' campaigns," said Michael Morris, vice president of marketing for TriMega Purchasing Association, a national buying consortium of independent office supply dealerships. "Our dealers have reported improved customer loyalty, increased awareness of their brand, and more doors being opened to them thanks to 'think local' oriented initiatives."

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Part-Time Temporary Administrative Assistant Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce

Legislative Coffee February 19 Thank you to our District 10 Legislators: Shantel Krebs, Gene Abdallah & Roger Hunt

Annual Banquet Thursday, March 24, 2011 Holiday Inn Express in Brandon 5:30 pm Social Hour ~ 6:30 pm Banquet



5 weeks beginning late April/ early May



Covering maternity leave for full-time administrative assistant

Job Duties: Answer phones; update calendar of events; maintain appearance of office; miscellaneous clerical duties as assigned by Executive Director Qualifications: High School Diploma, Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office; Knowledge of Brandon is a must! •

Flexible hours between 8am5pm Monday-Friday



15 hours per week at $8.00 per hour Mail resume to: BVACC PO Box 182, Brandon, SD 57005

$35 in Advance; $40 at the Door The new Brandon Phone Book is here!

Save the Date: Mark your calendars and start thinking about who you want to invite to play on your team for the

You should have received your free copy of the Brandon phone book in the mail last week. If you are interested in purchasing any additional

2011 Chamber Golf and Wine Outing. This year, the event will be held Friday, June 17 — so SAVE THAT DATE!

phone books please contact the chamber office at 582-7400. The cost for each additional book is $4.00.