WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The Gloucester County’s 2019 Shop, Dine, Go Local campaign, designed to encourage spending money within the local community to help the county’s economy, kicked off with an opening event at The Wing Kitchen in Turnersville recently.
“This is the eighth year we have held this campaign to support our local small businesses,” Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said. “Local business owners are our neighbors, they employ our neighbors and they also put their money back into our community.”
Deputy Freeholder Director Frank J. DiMarco said that local spending helps the local economy.
“Each dollar spent at an independent business returns three times more money to the local economy,” DiMarco said. “Gloucester County is the home to hundreds of locally owned and operated eateries, breweries, wineries, retail and specialty stores and we encourage our residents to think of them first when spending their hard-earned dollars.”
Freeholder Heather Simmons, who serves as the Liaison to the Department of Economic Development, said that more than half of Gloucester County’s employers are considered small business.
“We’re kicking off our campaign at a local business that is celebrating their one-year anniversary,” Simmons added. “The Wing Kitchen employs twelve people and they have been working hard to build relationships with their customers. These are the types of businesses that the Shop, Dine, Go Local campaign is designed to promote.”
Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Les Vail, described the event as crucial.
“We need to remember all of the people working at the grassroots level to make their dreams possible,” Vail said. “When we keep money within the local economy we all share the benefits, be it more jobs, lower prices, or more options.”
“We encourage residents to pledge to shop, dine and spend their money on local services over the next three months including the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, and then Small Business Saturday,” added Simmons.
The program is a partnership between the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development, the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce, NJ Advance Media, and small business owners in the local area.
Residents are encouraged to come join the event. Sign the Gloucester County Shop, Dine, Go Local pledge by visiting http://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/depts/e/ed/slsat.asp.
For sponsorship details or opportunities please call the Gloucester County Department of Economic Development (856) 384-6902.
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