The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has launched a Support Local program to boost holiday sales and get stores through what promises to be a tough winter.
The campaign signals a pivot from attracting tourists to focusing on Michigan consumers who may be going online rather than understanding the need to “buy nearby” right now. Michigan Retailers Association is one of the partners in the program.
MEDC will run Support Local ads from Nov. 30 to March 31. How can you help? They are looking for content for the program’s website: Michigan.org/supportlocal. They want to get retail, restaurant and accommodations up on the site for a one-stop shopping guide for anyone looking for something to do in a Michigan town.
They also are encouraging businesses to submit their information.
“We would also love to continue to hear from you and your networks about any initiatives happening at the local level to support our restaurants, retailers, hoteliers and attractions this winter,” said Paige Wirth, MEDC’s business marketing director.
You can share information about your business and downtown events involving local small businesses with Travel Michigan’s Nicole Gaukel at gaukeln1@michigan.org. She is compiling and listing these resources on the Support Local website.
On social media, MEDC is using the hashtag #SupportLocalMI, and will even curate content off that hashtag. If you use that hashtag, we encourage you to use the #buynearbymi hashtag as well.
MEDC is also encouraging businesses to take the Pure Michigan Pledge, which shows your business has committed to maintaining disinfecting and social distancing protocols. You can take the pledge here: https://www.michigan.org/puremichiganpledge.
