Florence Township Council encouraging businesses to take part
By Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — The Township Council encouraged local businesses to be part of the new “Shop Burlington County First” campaign during its Aug. 7 meeting.
Mayor Craig Wilkie thanked the council for approving a resolution to support the campaign.
”The Economic Development Committee looked at this back in April when it was first presented, and we actually had a meeting about a week and a half ago with the county representatives, and I saw this as a great opportunity,” Mayor Wilkie said.
”There are some businesses on Route 130 that are actively doing some work,” he said referring to Burlington Coat Factory and others.
He continued, “One of the things that is going to be vital for Florence Township is that (people) not only come here to work, but that they, maybe, get lunch here, maybe come into town and get their hair cut, do some business in town.”
Burlington County, the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce and the Bridge Commission are encouraging businesses to register for the campaign at www.shopburlingtoncounty.com.
”Shop Burlington County First” is Burlington County’s new “buy local” initiative.
”We got business association directors, leaders and stakeholders from throughout the county because we have seen a need to increase folks’ attention to local businesses,” Freeholder Director Joseph Donnelly said.
Outreach started the beginning of June, according to Mr. Donnelly.
”We have gone around, between me and my staff, and we have met with about 15 different business associations and governing bodies,” Mr. Donnelly said.
According to Mr. Donnelly, 80 percent of businesses in the United States are small businesses and “job creators.”
”We were looking to increase job growth in Burlington County,” Mr. Donnelly said. “How better to do that then to highlight all the wonderful businesses that we have in the county, which are roughly 8,000 businesses registered in the county.”
The program needs businesses to register, according to Mr. Donnelly.
Registered businesses receive a free “Shop Burlington County First” marketing kit; a listing in the online “Shop Burlington County First” business directory; continuous county-wide promotion; an invitation to participate in a “Burlington County Bucks” gift card program; and the opportunity to participate in future promotions and programs as the “Shop Burlington County First” campaign expands.
According to Mr. Donnelly, around 100 businesses have registered.
”We are waiting for two large communities to come on in the fall,” Mr. Donnelly said. “As soon as they come on, that number is going to grow exponentially.”
The next step will be to get residents to make a pledge to shop local.
”Once we get the businesses on, we are trying to attract people to make the pledge,” Mr. Donnelly said. “By doing that, if you are interested, you will be updated on upcoming events on what’s to buy local.”
For every $100 spent locally in independently owned stores, shops and restaurants, $44 to $83 is re-circulated in the local economy. When $100 is spent in national chains, only $14 to $43 stays in the local economy, according to the campaign website.
”I think the key for us, in addition to the benefits of having everybody out there, is them coming in and supporting the locals that are in the community because we do have a great community, and we want them to support that,” Mayor Wilkie said.
The “Burlington Bucks” gift cards come in $10 and $25 and are expected to be available around the middle of September, according to Mr. Donnelly.
”The gift cards will be available through the local business association,” Mr. Donnelly said. “They will be able to be redeemed at any of the businesses at that are at the ‘Shop Local, Buy Local.’”
He added if every household in Burlington County spent $10 a month locally, that would generate an additional $20 million to local businesses at the end of the year.