Pledge To 'Look Local First' During National Small Business Week

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is participating in National Small Business Week by encouraging businesses to Look Local First. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to make a pledge to shift 5 percent of their spending to local vendors.

National Small Business Week is scheduled from May 1-7, 2016, and is hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA uses Small Business week to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small businesses owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Greater Des Moines businesses can participate in Small Business Week by pledging to be part of The Partnership’s Look Local First initiative. Look Local First is an initiative to promote local expertise, products and services. Each year, businesses and local governments in Greater Des Moines spend more than $13.4 billion with out-of-area suppliers. Shifting just 5 percent of spending to local vendors could generate an economic impact of more than $1 billion for Greater Des Moines.

“Looking Local First has an obvious impact on the economy and can help your company develop long-lasting relationships with vendors that are also invested in and contributing to our community’s success,” said Meg Schneider, Senior Vice President of Regional Business Development at The Partnership. “There is great local expertise in many industries in our region, including manufacturing, legal services, advertising and more.”

Pledge to shift 5 percent of your business’s spending by filling out a pledge form at LookLocalDSM.com. Then, find local vendors by searching The Partnership’s online directory at DSMpartnership.com/list. 

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 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,400 Regional Business Members and more than 340 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.