April 13th, 2020- The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce is joining chambers and small businesses across the state of Illinois to launch the ‘IL’ove Local campaign to encourage people to support local businesses during the week of April 11 – 18, 2020.
“Our local businesses are not just “in” the community; they are an integral part of the community because they employ our friends, family, and neighbors,” explains Mirinda Rothrock, President of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We want and need our local businesses to survive this shut-down, and we are working tirelessly every day to help see them through this pandemic.”
The statistics are staggering for small businesses following natural disasters: according to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open.
“People across the state are staying home to save lives; we want to ensure that small businesses can save their livelihoods,” said Lisa Weitzel, President of Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. “We are asking neighbors to put their money where their heart is and support the ‘IL’ove Local initiative.”
Each dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 50 times more money to the local economy than shopping at a mega e-retailer. Across Illinois, small companies provide communities with good jobs, quality service, and the character that makes cities, towns, and neighborhoods feel like home.
From Chicago to Carbondale and the Mississippi to Lake Michigan, Illinois chambers are coming together, sharing resources, building community, and uniting to create the week-long initiative designed to drive business to our small businesses. Collectively small, local businesses are the states’ largest employers. Small businesses employ more than half of the working class in the United States.
WHAT SHOPPERS CAN DO
- Follow social distancing guidelines and stay home as much as possible.
- Buy Local. Find out if your favorite local store has an online shop or reach out to them to find out how you can purchase now for pick up later.
- Buy gift cards to use later.
- Take online virtual classes from your favorite local business.
- Get takeout/delivery – Tip big!
- Consider buying lunch/dinner for the first responders; you will help your local restaurants and the people who serve us all.
- Buy gift cards from local businesses for your favorite waiter/waitress/bartender.
- Like and share your favorite local businesses’ social media posts.
- Once you’ve purchased a gift card or meal, take a picture of it, share it on your social media and hashtag #IloveIllinois
- OR use #shopsmall #shopillinois #Illinoisstrong #AllInIllinois
- Maintain your memberships
- Check out chamber links and directories for a one-stop-shop in shopping small, of all the ways to support independent Illinois businesses in your backyard. (www.IllinoisLoveLocal.com)
