The document discusses strategies for building and sustaining local communities through initiatives like "Buy Local" campaigns. It provides reasons to support buying local, such as keeping more money circulating within the local economy and environment. Examples are given of successful programs, including making the community a destination, hosting events, promoting local businesses and agriculture. The document emphasizes the importance of inclusiveness, long-term planning, promotion and measuring impacts of "Buy Local" and other local initiatives.

1. On your blue Post-It, list 1 item of
growth that happened in the
community of Bowdon this last year
And you can’t use the meat processing plant
On your pink Post-It, what 1 item
would you like to see
start/expand in the Bowdon
community in the next 12
months.

2. Glenn Muske
Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist
NDSU Extension Center for Community Vitality
Glenn.Muske@ndsu.edu
701-328-9718
June, 2013
Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!

3. Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!
• Building – Sustaining – Growing – Other???
• Community – City, zip code, shopping area???
• Buy local – Why?
– Economic
– Community
– Environment
• Examples and MORE!
• Conversation

4. Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!
• Building – Sustaining – Growing – Other???
• Community – City, zip code, shopping area???
• Buy local – Why?
– Economic
– Community
– Environment
• Examples and MORE!
• Conversation

5. Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!
• Building – Sustaining – Growing – Other???
• Community – City, zip code, shopping area???
• Buy local – Why?
– Economic
– Community
– Environment
• Examples and MORE!
• Conversation

6. We know them when we see them?

7. How do you stay connected?
http://www.bowdonnd.com/

8. Building Community
2 self-examinations

9. Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!
• Building – Sustaining – Growing – Other???
• Community – City, zip code, shopping area???
• Buy local – Why?
– Economic
– Community
– Environment
• Examples and MORE!
• Conversation

10. Buy Local – Why?
Economic
• Money spent outside - $0 returns
• Money spent in local chains/franchises - $.43 sticks
around
• Money spent in local businesses - $.68 sticks around
• Correlated with increased household income of 10 –
25%
And the funds that stay around circulate 1.6 to 2.4 times
Note: “Buy local” is not an economic goldmine. It helps.
Gains also come from:

11. Buy Local – Why?
Community
• Your family, friends and neighbors
• Support sports teams, community projects, local
service efforts
Environment
• Less driving
• Less packaging
• Less land impact

12. Buying Local Foods
• Same positives – Dollars stay local, healthy,
“you know the farmer,” food safety, etc.
• Average household spends $5300 on food
– What would happen if you shifted
• 1%
• 5%
Kudos – Bowdon Farmers Market is more than a
market. It is an event.

14. Buy Local
• Better if:
– Needs, not wants
– Theme
– Examples of how it helps
– A team
– Long-term effort
• Must promote it and measure success

15. Start
- Easy
Maintain
- Tough
Measure
- Rare
Report
- Crucial

16. Building Community:
“Buy Local” and MORE!!
• Building – Sustaining – Growing – Other???
• Community – City, zip code, shopping area???
• Buy local – Why?
– Economic
– Community
– Environment
• Examples and MORE!
• Conversation

17. Examples and MORE!
• Capitalize on what brings people in
– Complementary items – Sidney, NE – Cabela’s
– Supply needs - Medora
• Can you be a destination?
– Sturgis
• Streetscaping, store fronts and visual
– Cordell, OK
• Heritage and cultural opportunities
– Tri-County Germans from Russia effort
• Vacant stores program
– Use as opportunity – Webster City, IA

18. Examples and MORE!
• Events - DuckFest
• Agritourism
– Pretty Prairie, KS
• SIGNS
• Think creative

19. • Invite youth and retired (and everyone in-
between) home to stay
– http://networkkansas.com/about/blog/ntks-
blog/2013/05/29/inviting-youth-home-to-stay
• Spring clean-up day

20. Who and How
• Who – EVERYONE!!!
– Include all generations
– Provide training on how to be an ambassador
• In general
• In their job
– Give them:
• A tagline
• An elevator speech
• Talking points
– Locally driven – e.g. Howard, SD
It is all about attitude!!!

21. Random Thoughts
• Marked money
• Cooperative branding
• Focus on businesses you have to have (food)
as opposed to those you would like (dentist)
• Remember – A brand is a perception
• Build on feasibility, not local sentiment
• Don’t let ___________ get in the way

23. Think Outside the Box

24. Find me at:
Glenn.Muske@ndsu.edu
www.ag.ndsu.edu/smallbusiness
www.facebook.com/ndsuextsmallbiz
www.twitter.com/gmuske
www.pinterest.com/gamuske
www.delicious.com/#gamuske
Conversation