According to BC Buy Local, the average Canadian spends about $1500 on travel, food, drinks and gifts during the holiday season. By shifting at least 1% of that spending – just $15 – to a local business, or local grown or local made product, consumers give the gift of growth and health to the entire community.
B.C. Buy Local week is an annual celebration to recognize the impact B.C. businesses make to our economy and communities. These businesses strengthen the social fabric and donate to local causes. They provide jobs and support local service providers, keeping money circulating in the community. Though consumers may buy local all year round, BC Buy Local week helps showcase Creston Valley – Kootenay Lake owned businesses – which includes great local growers, contractors, manufacturers, designers, retailers, restaurants, and service providers that keep our communities and economy strong.
Kootenay Employment Services, a leading partner of the Economic Action Partnership, joined forces with BC Buy Local this holiday season. “It is the perfect opportunity to encourage local shopping”, said CV-KL EAP manager, Heidi Germann. “With BC Buy Local week coinciding with our local Winter Festival, and government focused on reviving BC Buy Local activity, we felt it was perfect time to support both local and provincial initiatives.”
BC Buy Local will be visible at this year’s Winter Festival on Saturday December 2, 2017. Organized by the Town of Creston and the Regional District Central Kootenay, the festival timing will provide the perfect opportunity for locals to shop at local businesses. For those shopping downtown, keep your eyes peeled for Santa’s Helpers, who will be giving away “Santa Bucks” – gift certificates which can be redeemed at participating businesses for that day only. Businesses accepting Santa Bucks will be listed on the backside of the ‘”bucks” and have the logo in their storefront window.
Aside from being a fun frenzy, the “Santa Bucks” activity will provide useful information about consumer spending. The sales generated from this activity will be tracked at each participating location. The numbers will provide measurable statistics around the impact local spending generates for the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake economy.
BC Buy Local Week is November 27 to December 3, 2017. Consumers can participate by supporting their favourite local businesses, produce and products, and promoting their love of local with the hashtag #BCBuyLocal. Don’t forget to include #CrestonValleyKootenayLake to promote our products across the province!
Give thanks and support local businesses this holiday season. Happy shopping!
