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Members Gather for Annual Meeting

Highlights, News   Feb 11, 2012

More than 40 members of Portland Buy Local attended the organization’s annual meeting on February 8th at the Good Egg Cafe.

Over coffee and a delicious buffet breakfast, members heard reports from the Board of Directors on the organization’s activities over the last year, discussed plans for the coming months, and offered ideas for new initiatives.

Members also had a chance to meet Buy Local’s new Administrative Ambassador, Emily Wiederkehr Rothschild.

Our thanks to everyone who participated!

2012-2013 Directory Cover Design Contest

Highlights, News, News & Events   Feb 4, 2012

Portland Buy Local is accepting submissions for the cover of its 2012-2013 Directory. The annual directory is distributed throughout Greater Portland and reaches tens of thousands of residents and visitors. The organization’s board of directors will select the winning design in March, and the directories will be distributed in June. The winning artist will receive a prize of $250 and will be credited inside the directory.

Guidelines

• Open to Maine artists and Maine-based design firms (must reside in Maine at least six months/year)
• Size: 5.5″ x 5.5″
• Format: JPEG, 300 d.p.i., CMYK
• Deadline: March 5, 2012
• E-mail submissions to: info@portlandbuylocal.org
• Include name, address, and daytime phone number
• Selected image becomes property of the Portland Independent Business and Community Alliance

Independent Businesses Report Strong Holiday Sales & Growing Public Support

Highlights, News, News & Events   Jan 28, 2012

In a national survey, independent businesses reported strong sales growth over the holidays and growing public awareness of the value of choosing locally owned retail stores, banks, restaurants, and other enterprises.

The survey, which was conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in partnership with dozens of trade associations and local business alliances (including Portland Buy Local, which distributed the survey to its members), gathered data from 1,768 independent businesses across 49 states over an 8-day period in January. Among the key findings:

• Independent retailers, which comprised about half the survey respondents, reported stronger holiday sales than the industry average. While overall holiday sales were up 4.1% in 2011, the independent retailers surveyed said their holiday sales increased 6.7% on average.

• More than three-quarters of the businesses surveyed said that public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year.

• Independent businesses in communities with an active “buy local” campaign operated by a local business organization reported annual revenue growth of 7.2% in 2011, compared to 2.6% for those in areas without such an initiative. (“Buy local” campaigns run by Independent Business Alliances and Local First groups are now underway in about 150 cities.)

• Looking specifically at retail respondents, the survey found that those in areas with an active “buy local” campaign reported holiday sales growth of 8.5% in 2011, compared to 5.2% for those retailers in areas without such an initiative.

For more on the survey results, go here.

Make a resolution to boost our economy

Highlights, News & Events   Jan 16, 2012

Help us make 2012 a great year for job creation in Maine by shifting more of your spending to locally owned businesses.

Read more about the study.