Chamber welcomes campaign jobs hope

Hamish Heard
A NEW campaign to stop shoppers spending their money outside the region could generate thousands of jobs, according to Geelong Chamber of Commerce.
Executive director Lawrie Miller said the Buy Local campaign could more than halve the $1.2 million that local shoppers were spending outside Geelong.
He said escape spending cost the Geelong region 5000 full time jobs.
“If we could stop half the current spend rate going out of the region it would create a couple of thousand new jobs and that would be wonderful for the region,” Mr Miller said.
“Hopefully we can go further than that but even if we can achieve that it would be great.”
The campaign will target customers throughout City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Golden Plains and Borough of Queenscliffe with a marketing campaign direting them to shop at participating Buy Local businesses.
Customers shopping at outlets displaying Buy Local signage will receive prizes and credits to purchase goods at a series of gala events.
Mr Miller said the outlay for businesses wanting to participate in the scheme would be small in comparison to the marketing benefits they would receive as Buy Local businesses.
“We haven’t officially started the campaign but already some of the region’s leading businesses have signed up and adopted the Buy Local policy.”
City of Greater Geelong economic development unit manager Anton Mayer said the campaign complemented City Hall’s strategy to stimulate economic growth.
“This campaign is a practical way in which the City of Greater Geelong can help the community ensure growth and the creation of jobs in our region and reduce the amount of escape spending.”
Buy Local will officially launch in May.
Organisations including the Independent, Bay FM, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, City of Greater Geelong and Geelong Business Network are driving the campaign.