New Federal investment dollars will see the Midwest region benefit from an economic injection of just over $100,000. That’s the sentiment from the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.
Executive Director Serena Sjodin says she’s excited about the Shop Local funding.
“It does come down all the way to the community level. So its meant to really support those local community small businesses, instead of it staying provincial or federal funding, its coming right into every small town across Canada. So within Lloydminster we can then utilize this funding to benefit our local small business community.”
The Federal dollars between Alberta and Saskatchewan total some 6.1 million. Overall, 33 million dollars is being spent nationally supporting small community business recovery.
Sjodin points to the economic value and connections of shopping local. She says as residents support local business, those businesses also support area non-profits.
The campaign will unfold in the Midwest on two fronts. The Chamber will be doing a Shop Local video over the Summer and tie that into the launch of their Ecommerce Marketplace in the Fall.
“You can purchase from Lloydminster businesses all online on one local marketplace. Then that also funnels up to a larger Alberta marketplace. So if people want to find business just in Lloydminster they can go to the Lloydminster Marketplace and check it out, but for vendors and businesses who are selling on this marketplace, they will also be able to sell their products across Alberta on the larger Alberta marketplace.”
While the local launch date is slated for October 1, Sjodin adds their big picture goal is that Alberta Chambers of Commerce will be launching this platform Canada wide.
Other areas where the investment will come in handy include:
-shop local branding and digital content
-seasonal campaigns intended to direct shoppers to local stores
-promotions of online shopping, curbside pickup and delivery, and public health measures, and
-marketing materials such as videos, social media, and radio and newspaper ads to build shop local patronage.