"Local Matters" brings new business alliance

Original Website: www.carrborocommons.org

By, Eric Surber 

Local business owners will launch a “Local Matters” campaign in early October that will create a business alliance and encourage people to support the local economy.

The campaign follows recommendations from Think Local First Carrboro Think Tank (TLFCTT), which was appointed by the Board of Aldermen in July to find a way to educate, engage and excite both consumers and businesses about Carrboro’s unique local business environment.

“Currently, there actually is no organic network of businesses in Carrboro,” TLFCTT member Clay Schossow said. “There’s the Chamber and some efforts from the town, but there isn’t a wide network built up from the businesses themselves. We feel it’s really important to have that network to help businesses speak with one voice and support each other.”

The campaign’s backbone will be the diverse set of local businesses that comprise Carrboro’s local economy. Schossow explained to the Board of Aldermen that businesses would benefit from a new network that encourages conversation and relationships between local businesses.

The “Local Matters” alliance will be all-inclusive, focusing on building both the downtown and peripheral economies Schossow said. This means that all local businesses—even those without storefronts—are encouraged to join the campaign.

“It’s not retail only. One of the hardest things is to get the campaign spread out beyond retail,” Alderman Randee Haven-O’Donnell said.

TLFCTT identified 400 businesses, both retail and service, from plumbers to pizzerias, which could benefit from the movement. Haven-O’Donnell said about 30 businesses are currently in the conversation.

According to TLFCTT’s implementation plan, the campaign’s secondary audience consists of Carrboro’s consumers, including residents, day-trippers and tourists . The campaign will encourage consumers, especially visitors, to spend more time and money in downtown and greater Carrboro by promoting the economic, environmental and social advantages of shopping locally.

Addressing the Board of Alderman earlier this month, Schossow explained, “We want to reinforce [to tourists] that Carrboro is different; that we really care about our local economy. And while they are here, they should contribute to it because it’s making a real impact.”

“Local Matters” is the next generation of efforts to grow Carrboro’s local business economy. Haven-O’Donnell said campaigns like “Shop Local,” a local currency and “Localmotive” had similar goals to “Local Matters,” but they lost momentum after losing support from the businesses.

“It’s exciting now to have local business people lead the charge,” Haven-O’Donnell said, expressing her hopes that this will be the first long-term and sustainable local business interest group.

The implementation plan said the campaign will build consumer and business alliances through a year of promotional events and messages. An email newsletter will update people on weekly events and encourage non-locals to make weekend trips. Several promotional events are planned to engage businesses and the community, especially during the upcoming holiday shopping season.

The first kick-off event will be held Oct. 2 at the B-Side Lounge behind Venable, 200 N. Greensboro St., which will serve as the first meeting for the Carrboro business alliance. All local business owners are invited to attend and can RSVP through the new “Local Matters” website.

A public kick-off will be Oct. 15 on the Carrboro Town Commons. Everyone is invited to attend the screening of “Real Value” by Jesse Borkowski, a local movie producer. The documentary shows the greater value of businesses that consider people and the planet instead of just profits, while telling stories of entrepreneurs working in a range of fields. Annette Stone, director of economic and community development, said the movie would serve as an opportunity to raise consumer awareness about the value in thinking local.

“Going forward, we’ll continue holding events for both groups, “ Schossow said. “The business events will focus on fostering connections between businesses, brainstorming ways to help one another, and building a strong local economy. The consumer focused events will explain the importance of shopping and acting local.”

Stay updated on these and other events by visiting the “Local Matters” website. You can also submit your ideas and feedback by emailing the “Local Matters” committee atcba@localcarrboro.com.