Local First Program

The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerces Local First campaign has three elements. Each is critical to the overall goal of strengthening locally owned businesses.

The first and most visible is an educational effort to remind Valley residents how important it is that they patronize local businesses. From how much of a dollar spent in a locally owned business stays in the community to the maintenance and creation of local jobs, buying locally matters.

The message is reflected in the Local First graphic, which has been incorporated into the Chambers website and stationery and produced on bumper stickers. It will also appear on cards which will contain a QR code on the back. When read, the code will take consumers to the Chamber web sites Hot Deals section, where they will find special offers and incentives from Chamber member businesses.

The second area is a reinforcement of the importance of business to business commerce being done locally. It will revive the promises of the WHOLE (Were Helping Our Local Economy) program, in which local businesses agree to purchase business supplies and services locally whenever possible, provide excellent customer service, offer the most competitive pricing possible and to patronize local businesses as consumers whenever possible.

In the final area, the Chamber is working with the Business Council of Douglas County to encourage local government, from the County to the School District to the towns and GIDs to spend their dollars locally whenever possible.