SHOP LOCAL

	“Make It Monmouth” is the shop local campaign sponsored by the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce to help stimulate local business through public awareness. The goal of Make It Monmouth is to help local residents as well as local businesses understand the importance of supporting local businesses.
Window decals with the “Make It Monmouth” slogan and logo are distributed from the Chamber office to member businesses to help keep Make it Monmouth on the minds of shoppers.

Why is shopping local important?

1. Shopping local creates and retains Jobs.
2. Dollars spent locally generates more tax revenue for city and county services. A recent study commissioned by the City of Monmouth estimates that households in the Monmouth trade area spend $1,772,575 out of town. If those dollars could be captured in the Monmouth trade area it could mean $35,452 in sales tax dollars for the City of Monmouth and an additional $4,431 for Warren County.
3. Monmouth Area Businesses are supportive of organizations that are vital to our communities such as local charities, schools, churches, and community events.
4. Convenience: Doing business locally can save travel time, gasoline, and doing business with people you know is one of the many nice things about shopping in the Monmouth community. Has a local business ever opened after hours when you were in desperate need of something?
5. Purchasing locally re-circulates your money through our local community keeping the economy growing. Dollars spent outside of town may never come back.
6. Local shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs.
7. Numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business which means you get a higher standard of service.
8. Reduced environmental impact. Shopping local keeps your car off the road.

To make shopping local a little easier, the Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce offers Maple City Money. Residents can purchase the certificates in $5, $10 or $20 increments. They are a great gift idea and can be redeemed for goods or services at any Monmouth chamber member. There is no additional fee to purchase or use the certificates. For a list of chamber members click on “Chamber Members A-Z”.