Hitting Home: 'Buy Locally, invest locally' is Chamber's message

Friday, April 30, 2010
Banner Graphic/SHANNEN HAYES The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce is sending the community a message: Invest in the community. This banner will be hung across Washington Street on May 24, as a reminder to buy locally, invest locally. Sponsors who made the banner possible are, from left, Josh Richardson with First National Bank, Laurie Hardwick with Chamber of Commerce, Scott Davis with Furniture Awarehouse, Sue Bowser with Old National Bank, Barb Young with Classic Flooring, Bret Hurley with Bret Hurley Construction, Tammy Amor with Chamber of Commerce and Daryl Taylor with Banner Graphic. Not pictured is L.T. Taylor with Taylor Made Awards.

GREENCASTLE -- Buy locally. Invest locally.

It's a message the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce wants the community to receive. The message is not one that is unique to the Chamber; it is a message local businesses have been promoting for years.

"Buying locally, especially at locally owned businesses, is one of the best things each of us can do to raise the quality of life for all in our community," said Steve Setchell, chair of the Greencastle Sustainability Commission.

Several area businesses have come together to purchase a banner, which will hang across Washington Street, to remind every passerby the importance of buying from local merchants. Whether it is a backhoe you need, a retail store, restaurant or a hairdresser, local businesses are the backbone of the local economy.

"Buying locally, rather than traveling to Plainfield, Avon or Terre Haute or ordering an item online, you are investing in our community," said Laurie Hardwick, board president of the Chamber.

"It's not just about the message," said L.T. Taylor, Taylor Made Awards and Promotions. "It all starts with local businesses doing business locally, setting an example for the rest to follow."

The Chamber has launched the campaign to keep the message -- buy locally, invest locally -- on the front burner. Its plans are to distribute educational information, airing public service announcements on the radio and public access television. Plans also include signage and hosting a Web page devoted to the benefits of keeping it "Green in Greencastle."

Not only do our local businesses provide valuable goods and services, but they create jobs," noted Chamber director Tammy Amor.

With the economy presenting new challenges to small businesses, the "buy local" message hopes to ensure businesses thrive in Greencastle.

"Sustainability is a word most often associated with the environment," said Hardwick. "But there is also economic sustainability -- our ability to sustain our local businesses, maintain jobs and keep Greencastle, Cloverdale, Bainbridge and all of Putnam County the unique places they are.

Every time we buy something, we vote with our dollars. Do we choose to strengthen our own community, economy and culture or do we send our dollars elsewhere?"

Comments
View 20 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • I buy locally more often than not, but there are some businesses who jack up their prices because they are the only business of their type in town. This has to work both ways.

    -- Posted by Geologist on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 7:32 AM
  • I do not any more. Can't afford to get ANOTHER parking ticket, and I know a few people that have hav their vehicles towed away for trying to park in the area -- you can thank Crowne for this....

    No thanks, the downtown "Buy Locally" is not parking friendly.

    -- Posted by GRNT on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 8:05 AM
  • Afraid not. If I drive 25 to 30 miles to buy gas sometimes as much as 25 cents per gallon cheaper than in Greencastle, I will also spend my money in that town. I only buy enough gas in this town to get me to a cheaper place.

    -- Posted by gadgetguy on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 8:15 AM
  • Josh Richardson is a rock star. You know it. I know it.

    -- Posted by goodmorning on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 8:53 AM
  • Gas prices are high in Greencastle, no doubt. But does it really make sense to spend money on gas to save money on gas? If you were working in Terre Haute or Hendricks County it would make perfect sense to fill up there. Driving there to fill up there, Not so much.

    -- Posted by headlettuce on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 9:56 AM
  • This idea does have to work both ways.But, investing locally might help improve parking, lower gas dollars etc. Which came first? The Chicken or the Egg?

    -- Posted by headlettuce on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 9:59 AM
  • GRNT I agree that parking is an issue downtown, but there are plenty of other opportunities to buy locally outside of the downtown area if parking tickets are an issue. Also, it is not the fault of Crown that people are unable to read a sign clearly posted by their parking lot. That parking lot belongs to Crown, not the city of Greencastle. People should really take responsibility for their own actions!!

    Buying products locally is so important for the livelihood of this community!!! Buy local whenever possible!!!

    -- Posted by buylocal1 on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 11:14 AM
  • Headlettuce wrote;

    "Gas prices are high in Greencastle, no doubt. But does it really make sense to spend money on gas to save money on gas?"

    I have to say yes it does, not only on gas but all goods and services. Money is the only thing business and politics respond to.

    As a consumer, especially in these times, it's your responsibility to reward quality with your purchasing power... even if it means spending that extra change. When times were good, the gougers got away with murder in this town through our complacency and convenience. Times are tough, make them give something back to the community.

    -- Posted by westforty on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 12:17 PM
  • I agree with PlatyPius. We can save so much money, be kinder to our planet and support local businesses by walking. If you don't live right in town you can park several blocks from your final destination... never know what you will find on the way. A cup of coffee at the Blue Door or a truffle from Almost Home.

    Fuel prices - Most of this money goes to a large franchise and not to local business owners. Stations in town most likely need to raise their prices because less people purchase fuel here in order to make it cost effective for them to offer fuel.

    I am so excited for the Farmer's Market to start again! That is a beautiful start to a Saturday and has saved me a lot of time and money!

    -- Posted by lovemycommunity on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 2:58 PM
  • Buy locally? It seems the City just decided to buy new polic cars and they were Dodge. Seems we don't have a Dodge dealer in Greencastle. The concept of buying locally is good but not at inflated prices. Menards and Home Depot is half the price of buying locally. Even Walmart in Greencastle forces you to buy out of town, Walmart in Crawfordsville carries many items Greencastle has removed from the shelves. I don't make special trips but I do stock up when I'm out of town.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 5:43 PM
  • The two choices for police cars are mostly Ford or Dodge. We haven't had either dealership in Greencastle for a long time. There are also Chevy police cars, but the people who own the Chevy dealership here are the same ones who bought and then closed the Dodge dealership.

    -- Posted by Geologist on Sat, May 1, 2010, at 8:05 PM
  • Buy locally? Where in this town can a customer purchase sewing supplies other than just the basics. In Wal Mart recently I was asked by another customer where the sewing supplies were and I directed her to the front of the store, out the door and to Avon. While I am in Avon I gas up on cheaper gas and purchase items that aren't available here at a more reasonable cost.

    -- Posted by dumpsterdiva2 on Sun, May 2, 2010, at 11:10 AM
  • I am wondering if city and county governments are going to follow suit and award contracts to local businesses even if they aren't the lowest bidders.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Sun, May 2, 2010, at 1:14 PM
  • Some things can't be purchased in Greencastle.City and County ABSOLUTELY should buy local. Merchants and city should be giving you a reason to shop locally. The city should do something about the Washington St. view NOW! Gas prices are ridiculous! Parking Sucks! BUT, THE FACT REMAINS, IF WE DON'T SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY----IT CAN"T SUPPORT US.------THINK ABOUT IT!!! Its got to start somewhere.----BUY LOCAL.

    -- Posted by headlettuce on Sun, May 2, 2010, at 3:21 PM
  • Give us something besides a Wal-mart that doesn't offer half what they used to and an expensive shoe store to shop at and we will shop locally!

    -- Posted by indianaresident on Sun, May 2, 2010, at 3:36 PM
  • It doesn't occur to anyone that the reason local prices are higher is because less people buy from them. We feed the superstores to get better prices which in the end hurts us. Superstores buy in mass quanity which means they get cheaper prices from buying in the thousands. A local business can't match what one supercenter down the street stocks let alone a whole corporation/chain. Maybe if we just quit GIVING to these superstores we would help ourselves out. We look like parasites when you see Wal-Mart at thier peak hours.I'm sure no one is willing to sacrifice convenience now for a better future...It's easier to complain then do something. And if all you've got to do is complain about your town....get out. Buying locally would be a good start for this country. Next time you go to Wal-Mart buy a slinky......I'm pretty sure it's the only thing made in America that they sell anymore....want a better economy buy products that keep money in this country from being made in this country. Or just get that fancy TV and then complain that the economy sucks.....where was that TV made?????

    -- Posted by Hangman on Sun, May 2, 2010, at 9:31 PM
  • It's not quite that simple, Hangman. Everybody wants to blame the Mart-Marts, but they are only one part of the equation. I was shopping in a local business recently (locally owned, but bearing a national brand). The clerk was telling me about how they had to adjust their prices almost daily depending on what the current pricing was. It didn't really matter what their cost was, the price fluctuated daily. Just like the gas prices. Local stations can fill their tanks and the prices at the pumps will change a dozen times or more before they have to refill their tanks again. Goods are priced on what the speculated cost of replacement is or on what the anticipated demand, selling price has nothing to do with cost of the product.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Mon, May 3, 2010, at 7:42 AM
  • I have tried to shop locally and do take advantage of some of the good food (Almost Home), however, have tried on several occasions to have service work done from local companies but they either do not want the business because no one answers the phone (or returns the call when a message is left) or they rip you off blind and do half-a?? work. Even after discussing with them the shoddy work, they will not make it right. Also, it takes me about the same amount of time to either get to Greencastle or Danville, the roads are so much better to go to Danville that I will choose to go there to spend my hard earned dollar. Come on "Greencastle Powers That Be", it can't only be one-sided here!

    -- Posted by NotSoInnocent on Mon, May 3, 2010, at 7:56 PM
  • I shop alot in Plainfield and find the items I need that I cant find here or can at 3 times the cost. Dont take that long to drive to Plainfield and gas is cheaper.Some of the new stores here -their prices too high and customer service lame. I get frustrated in this town that people dont know how to do their jobs.Dont matter where you go.

    -- Posted by peace2019 on Thu, May 6, 2010, at 9:53 AM
  • WOW! Being employed in this county and living outside of it, I'm astonished that Greencastle has such negative attitudes about everything! Instead of wasting your time posting a complaint and feeling like you've done something constructive, get off you rear and actually DO something constructive. Join in on the discussions, participate in local movements, do something to make this area into something great instead of sitting back and complaining!

    You don't realize how good you have it!

    As far as spending your "hard-earned money" elsewhere...those communities can afford to have nicer roads, bigger businesses and "greater" everything because you are funding it! Help "fund" Greencastle and you can have the same things here, eventually.

    Great things can't happen without money and it takes all contributing a little here and there to make great things possible.

    Get Involved!!

    -- Posted by teacherswife on Thu, May 6, 2010, at 10:04 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: