Buy-local effort grows to include all of November

SYRACUSE  —  A week-long buy-local campaign in Onondaga County has expanded to last throughout the month of November, officials said this morning.

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner issued a proclamation making the month Buy Local Month. The move means CenterState CEO and the nonprofit group SyracuseFirst will spend the next 30 days promoting independent and local businesses. Previous versions of the buy local push lasted only a week.

The month will contain the third annual Buy Local Bash. Set for Monday, Nov. 19 at the CNY Regional Market, the bash will showcase music, art, food, wine, and craft beer from Central New York.

“This month we want to sharpen the focus on what we, as citizens, can do to build our community as we introduce people to the businesses with the greatest impact on strengthening our economy,” SyracuseFirst Executive Director Chris Fowler said in a news release. “We’re asking residents to shift their purchases of food, cards, gifts, flowers, and other holiday purchases to businesses owned by your friends and neighbors. Even a 10 percent shift to independent, local businesses has an enormous impact.”

The organization estimates that a 10 percent shift in holiday spending toward locally owned and independent businesses could create $130 million in annual economic activity in Onondaga County.

SyracuseFirst was formed in 2009. It promotes local businesses and works for local, state, and national policies that aid small companies. Its membership is made up of independent businesses and organizations that want to encourage residents to think locally.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com