State Rep. Beth Griffin is encouraging residents Michigan’s Great Southwest to participate in Buy Michigan Week by considering locally made products and services.
She notes that purchasing goods and services locally has a positive impact on local communities, encourages small business growth and increases job opportunities while strengthening Michigan’s overall economy.
Griffin points out that, “Residents with businesses in Southwest Michigan are our neighbors and friends.” Regarding those businesses, the State Rep from Mattawan adds, “They have chosen to invest in Michigan, our communities and our economy. It only makes sense that we invest in them when possible. Doing so allows for an environment in which we can retain more job providers and more people are attracted to our state to start businesses or find jobs because they know the support is there locally.”
In October, an approved House resolution set aside a two-day period for “Buy Nearby” – an annual statewide promotion for shopping at local retail outlets instead of online alternatives. The Buy Nearby project estimates that if Michigan residents were to make a collaborative effort to buy locally, an additional $9 billion in economic activity would follow and nearly 74,000 jobs could be created in the state. Up to $2.5 billion in additional wages could be cultivated through the new jobs, according to the project’s report.
Next week is designated as Buy Michigan Week across the state and is set to run from July 28th through August 5th.
While that’s the theme next week, small business operators would love it if every week could be considered the perfect time to shop locally, and they encourage you to do exactly that.
