Believe in Bristol is partnering up with the Main Street programs in Abingdon and Marion for a shop local campaign that will be launched over the holidays and last throughout the next year. It is a campaign that focuses on the importance of buying local and supporting the small businesses in our communities.

Kenneth Heath, executive director of Marion’s Main Street Program, stated, “We are so proud to be partnering with our sister Main Street communities of Bristol and Abingdon. This is a great opportunity for us all to band together to remind our citizens of the importance of shopping local, supporting our neighbors and keeping our historic downtowns vibrant and alive.”

With campaigns like the 3/50 project highlighting the benefits a community gains from shopping local, it is time to jump on board and support our local community. Some facts about shopping local:

• If half the employed population in the United States spent $50 each month in locally-owned, independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
• For every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the local community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.
• For every $100 spent in chain stores, $43 comes back into the local community.

Susan Howard, executive director of Abingdon Main Street, said“Supporting our independent business is a priority for us. We are very excited to partner with Believe in Bristol and downtown Marion in this buy local promotion. It will allow us to make a bigger impact, and that is just good for all of our communities”.

“We want to challenge our communities to support local this holiday season and year around. Mom and Pop stores are the backbone of this country.  I am looking forward to working on future alliances together,” stated Christina Blevins, executive director for Believe in Bristol.

For more information, visit www.marionva.org/marion-downtown, www.abingdonva.us/main-street-program or www.believeinbristol.org.