Right after I signed up to run for Round Rock City Council Place 5, Bill Crisp, who owns Eagle Office Supply, brought me a very interesting article about “buy local” initiatives.

The article notes that a study in Grand Rapids, Mich., by the firm Civic Economics, found that if residents redirected just 10% of their total spending from chains to locally owned businesses, the result would be $140 million in new economic activity for the region, including 1600 new jobs and $53 million in additional payroll.

The article also notes that in Bellingham, Wash., a market research firm found that nearly 60% of residents are patronizing locally owned businesses more often thanks to a campaign that encourages people to “think local first.”

In this current economic climate, Round Rock would be better served if we adopted this concept. Several years ago Round Rock had a campaign – “Shop Round Rock. It’s Less Taxing.” This initiative encouraged residents to visit local stores first before going to Austin and to eat at local restaurants. We need to resurrect this initiative expanding the thinking to shop locally owned businesses, not just residents buying goods and services from Round Rock businesses. Let’s include the city government in this also. Other communities in their procurement process give locally owned businesses a 5% advantage, meaning if their bid is not greater than 5% the city buys from them.

The article references that studies have found that cities score better on community well being with lower poverty rates, greater civic participation and more charitable giving.

Tools for building healthy local economies: Mark Slatin, Pres. Small-Mart

• Build a vigorous network of locally owned businesses serving primarily local markets – the exact opposite of what most economic developers push.
• Provide compelling blueprints for localization by tapping into jaw dropping innovations of locally owned businesses and non-profit organizations.
• Develop public policies incentives for small locally owned businesses.
• Combine conservatives’ passion for free markets, small business and small government with progressives’ passion for community empowerment, sustainability and real democracy.

This economy begs for localization and promotion of locally owned businesses, with goods and services bought by Round Rock residents and City Government.