"Look Local First" Campaign Encourages Central Iowa to do Business Here
Each year businesses and governments in Greater Des Moines spend more than $13.4 billion with out-of-area suppliers. Shifting just 5 percent of a business’ spending to the region vendors could generate an economic impact of more than $1billion for Greater Des Moines. That’s why the Greater Des Moines Partnership created Look Local First — an initiative to promote expertise, products, and services in our own backyard.
“Keeping more dollars in Central Iowa is a great way to grow our businesses and strengthen the local economy,” says Ed Minnick, Chair of the Partnership’s Business-to-Business Committee that oversees the campaign. “Money spent locally does come back. We have a better economy, jobs are plentiful, we have better schools, better roads, better everything.
“Our ultimate goal is to affect a shift in local business-to-business purchasing so that five percent of the amount now spent out of Greater Des Moines is returned to our community,” said Meg Fitz, Senior Vice President of Regional Business Development for the Partnership. “We will do this through a fun and playful public awareness about the advantages of buying from local businesses and promoting area businesses. We hope to not only improve the bottom line for businesses in the metro, but to create a sustainable future for our community.”
We can all make a difference in growing our economy and making Greater Des Moines an even more prosperous community. Pledge to shift just 5 percent of your current out-of-area purchases into area businesses and services, and the Partnership will feature you on the website as a Look Local First pledge company. Visit LookLocalDSM.com to sign up today.
For more information, contact the Greater Des Moines Partnership at (515) 286-4950. Media inquiries should be directed to Susan Ramsey at (515) 286-4954 or sramsey@DSMpartnership.com.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.