Buy local initiatives gain ground

by B. Candace Beeke | Business Review Western Michigan

Independent businesses in Kalamazoo have formed a Buy Local coalition, based on a national movement, and plan a May 29 kick-off.

An offshoot of the American Independent Business Alliance in Montana, Buy Local in Kalamazoo includes a variety of local businesses that have banded together to form a not-for-profit coalition aimed at increasing use of locally owned businesses, said leader Gloria Tiller, owner of Kazoo Books.

"Being a member is going to give a unified voice to local independents," Tiller said. "People don't realize how important (buying local) is for increasing our growth in the ecomonic area."

The official kick-off is May 29 at Epic Center at 5:30 p.m., but interested businesses met informally a few times since Tiller began her efforts in November.

"We had over 40 businesses represented at those meetings," she said. "I was pleased. People were surprised at the response. We could have as many as 60-70 businesses at this meeting Thursday night."

Membership costs $120 a year and could lead to shared purchasing.

"We'll probably be doing combined advertising," Tiller said. "We'll be able to go in together on ads to have an increased presence."

This is part of a national movement to give independent businesses more visibility, she said, noting that groups are being considered in Holland and Flint. Grand Rapids formed a similar group a couple years ago based on sustainability.

"I had an inquiry from someone in Niles," she added.