MPs throw weight behind Buy Local campaign

Hamish Heard
Local politicians have joined a chorus of businesses singing the praises of a new campaign to bolster the region’s economy.
State members for South Barwon and Geelong Michael Crutchfield and Ian Trezise urged shoppers and businesses to get behind the Buy Local campaign ahead of its official launch later this month.
More than 100 businesses have already pledged their support for the scheme to reduce the flow of local money from the Geelong region, estimated at $1.2 million a day.
The campaign targets shoppers and businesses throughout City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Golden Plains Shire.
“This is the only project I can recall that has drawn together the cooperation of four different councils, the chamber of commerce and other business groups to ensure the region continues to strengthen both economically and socially,” Mr Crutchfield said.
Businesses participating in the scheme will benefit from a massive marketing campaign including competitions and giveaways to entice shoppers to purchase goods and services at Buy Local outlets.
Mr Crutchfield said he would advocate on behalf of program organisers, including the chamber of commerce, Geelong Business Network and the councils, in their application for a $40,000 State Government grant the campaign.
He said the Bracks Government had made $10,000 available for each of the state’s councils through its Business Victoria funding package in this week’s budget.
“It won’t be hard to advocate for the Buy Local campaign, especially considering it involves four councils all singing the same song,” Mr Crutchfield said.
Geelong Business Network’s Digby Hughes said organisers had been developing plans to encourage large organisations and industry to sign up to a Buy Local policy.