Dane County Buy Local, Jobs Creation Update

 

At this holiday season and time of giving, I recently joined with other local government, business leaders, and service providers gathered to urge Dane County residents to buy local to help local businesses create jobs, sustain vital local services, strengthen our economic future. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Supervisors Patrick Miles, Dianne Hesselbein, Mark Opitz, Matt Veldran, Melanie Hampton, and I called the event to educate the public about the importance of buying local this holiday season and highlight the www.DaneBuyLocal.Com website.

"Buying local this holiday season supports your neighbors and friends, and puts your hard-earned dollars to work for you right in your own community," said County Executive Kathleen Falk.

Local businesses combined are Dane County's largest employer. Buying locally during the holidays is a great way to strengthen our local economy.

"When you buy from local businesses you create jobs here in Dane County and help your neighbors keep their jobs," said John and Judith Hutchinson, owners of Fontana Sports Specialties and members of www.DaneBuyLocal.Com. 

They pointed out that Internet purchases don't help local jobs. "Please shop at Fontana and other local businesses that create jobs in our community and support local efforts and charities," said Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein who represents the area.

Dane County is spearheading efforts to Buy Local. "This is our top job creation effort," said Supervisor Patrick Miles, chair of the Economic Development Committee. "The more you spend in Dane County, the more people will have jobs here and the stronger our economic future will be."

State and County sales tax revenues have slumped with the current economic recession causing challenges in the state and county budgets. County sales tax receipts fell by 10.5% from last year.

I pointed out that sales taxes collected from local purchases are an important funding source for county public safety and human service programs that make up 75% of Dane County's budget. Buying local helps pay to plow our highways, support the 911 Center, sheriff's office and vital family services.

This is important to those who provide many vital family services in our County.

"Hundreds of people with developmental disabilities are employed by local businesses, earning good wages, paying taxes and doing meaningful work.  The DD Coalition is proud to join in urging everyone to buy local this holiday season: supporting our local businesses strengthens our entire community," said Chris Sarbacker chair of the Developmental Disabilities Coalition and executive director of Advanced Employment.

The Wisconsin State Journal recently reported the Recession is challenging most businesses and governments. The 2009 First Business Economic Survey of Dane County found that than half of the Dane County executives polled say their companies' revenues and profits declined this year, 62 percent dealt with a drop in sales, 56 percent saw their profits shrink, 40 percent eliminated jobs; and 23 percent decreased wages.
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_71425f4c-e52b-11de-ab0e-001cc4c03286.html

"Buying locally this holiday season is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Money spent locally continues to be reinvested in our community throughout the year. Local businesses tend to use local professionals. Buying locally this holiday season helps support local accountants, attorneys, tax-preparers, advertising firms, and media," said Jim Bradley, President of Home Savings Bank.

The event included a broad range of Buy Local leaders like: Neil Lerner, Small Business Development Center; Joe Tegtmeier, Exec. Sales, Buy Right (food distributors); Jim Bradley, Pres. Home Savings Bank; Rick Brooks, Founding Member, Dane Buy Local; Greg Lawless, Ag. Director, Thrive; Dan Driscoll; Sue Libenstein, Dir. Food and Nutrition Services, St. Mary's Hospital; , George Zens, Publisher of the Sustainable Times; and Rick Richards, Board Member, Dane Buy Local.

For more, see www.Danebuylocal.Com.

Have a great holiday.

Brett