FAQ

• Why was the Buy Here campaign initiated?
• Who is sponsoring the campaign?
• What is the goal of the campaign?
• Who compiled the statistics?
• Are the results being tracked?
• How do you define a “local” business? 
• What is the potential economic impact?
• What is the potential impact on the community?
• What if the things I need can’t be purchased locally? 
• What if buying locally means paying a higher price for goods and services?
• How can I help?

Why was the Buy Here Campaign created?

This campaign was developed in response to concern expressed by several Area Chamber members about the amount of business lost to companies outside of the area and outside of our state. The campaign exists to encourage area businesses to buy from local businesses.

The campaign is sponsored by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and its affiliates. However, the campaign would not be possible without the generous support of some very important local businesses.

Our ultimate goal is to affect a shift in local business-to-business purchasing so that 5% of the amount now spent outside the Johnson County area is returned to our local economy. We’ll do this by increasing public awareness about the advantages of buying from and promoting area businesses. We hope not only to improve the bottom line for these businesses, but also to improve the overall local economy and create a sustainable future for our community. We are asking businesses and local governments to look at their purchasing habits and to pledge to shift 5% of their out-of-area purchases back to the community.

Iowa State University Professor of Economics Dave Swenson, an expert at providing models for local buying programs, developed the statistical analysis of the Johnson County economy and the potential economic impact.

We are tracking the results of the companies participating in Buy Here.

We consider any business with operations in Johnson County to be local. Businesses located here, whether small, family-owned stores or part of a national chain or network, employ our family members, friends and neighbors and contribute to the local tax base and philanthropy.

According to the research, an ideal campaign would result in a $95 million contribution to our local economy.

There is tremendous potential! New jobs, business expansion; improved public services; streets, parks, and schools.

Sometimes, the things you purchase are not available from local vendors. We hope this will inspire entrepreneurs to enter the Johnson County market. However, that is also why we aren’t suggesting a 100% purchasing shift. Instead, we’re encouraging businesses to shift just 5% of their current purchases back into the local area.

Sometimes the local price isn’t always the lowest, and we don’t expect you to pay more for goods and services unless you perceive the value outweighs the price difference. What we do hope is that you’ll give local vendors a chance to present their information to you. A chief problem our small business owners face is just getting a foot in the door to show how competitive they are!

Pledge to shift just 5% of your current out-of-area purchases back to the local community! Whether you purchase $100 or $1 million worth of goods annually, you will make a difference! Let us know you’re participating by completing the Buy Here Pledge Form, and we’ll recognize and promote you on this Web site.  We will also include your business in our database, connecting you to local businesses and local businesses with you!