But many local dollars don’t get to have that multiplier effect because local consumers don’t consider the impact of local spending when they decide to shop out of the county.
To combat that attitude and to build awareness of the benefits of shopping locally, the chamber kicked off the “Stop, Shop, Go Gordon” campaign Friday during the June Chamber Booster Breakfast.
Kim Brazell, chair of the chamber’s Public Relations Committee, unveiled the logo for the effort, a traffic light urging local consumers to “Stop, Shop, Go Gordon.”
“We started the planning for this in March, and now it is a reality,” Brazell said.
Jonathan Purser, owner of the Calhoun Chick-fil-A and a former chamber president, said he learned the value of local shoppers soon after opening his restaurant on Ga. 53.
“A lot of Gordon Countians still go out of town for dinner,” Purser said. “Breakfast and lunch were good for u, but dinner was another story. Highway 53 was empty at dinnertime and so was out dining room.
“It has taken a long time to convince folks in Gordon County to stay and eat dinner here.”
Purser said other businesses have fought the same battles to keep local dollars in the lo-cal economy.
“You build relationships to build business, but to be successful, a business must deliver a product of service that customers demand,” he said.
Purser praised the Public Relations Committee for developing the “Stop, Shop, Go Gordon concept.
“The work they have done in creating this campaign will affect every” business in Gordon County,” he said. “It will promote shopping locally and keeping the community’s economy viable and healthy.”
Jim Mathews, president of the Starr-Mathews Agency, the sponsor of the June Booster Breakfast, said his company is excited to be a part of the campaign.
“We believe in keeping dollars in Gordon County,” Mathews said. “Your businesses, our business will only survive in the long-term if we support each other.”
Dewayne Bowen, chairman of the Small Business Committee, said one forum where local businesses can met local customers is the annual Small Business Expo. This year’s Expo will be Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Sonoraville Recreation Complex.
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