Partnership Perk: Look Local First

The Greater Des Moines Partnership wants to help ensure small business owners and entrepreneurs thrive in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Through the implementation of the “Look Local First” campaign, The Partnership encourages DSM residents to do just that and look local first for their business and consumer needs. Through your Membership with The Partnership, you are represented by this program that can help strengthen our local economy.

Why Look Local?

There are obvious reasons to look local when you make purchasing decisions. From a purely economic standpoint, shifting just 5 percent of your business' spending to local vendors could add more than $672 million per year to the local economy, and cause a ripple effect with an economic impact of more than $1 billion for DSM. This ripple effect creates jobs, diversifies our tax base and makes Central Iowa stronger for every company that does business here — including yours.

Supporting Small Business Saturday is another simple way to Look Local First. It is important to have a variety of options in our region. Our main street businesses add to the unique character of our community and make our neighborhoods vibrant. We hope you will stop by to see them on Saturday, November 25.

We can all make a difference in growing our economy and making DSM an even more prosperous community. Pledge to shift just 5 percent of your current out-of-area purchases into the local economy and The Partnership will feature you on LookLocalDSM.com as a Look Local pledge company. Visit LookLocalDSM.com to sign up today.

Learn more about Partnership Affiliate Chambers and about Partnership Member benefits.