Anchorage, Alaska—
A local campaign launched at the beginning of the month, with the goal of boosting local spending during the usual slower spring months. The "Anchorage First" campaign is hoping to encourage consumers to spend local, rather than making purchases online.The Anchorage Economic Development Corporation says this time of year can be tough on local businesses, but picks up during the busy summer tourism season.
"When you think about it and you do the math, if every family in Anchorage spent $25 more per month for three months, that would be $10 million more circulating in the Anchorage economy," says Bill Popp, president and CEO of the AEDC.
Many local business owners, like Renee Haag with Blaine's Art Supply, have chosen to participate in the campaign. While business at Blaine's slows down during the summertime, Haag says she knows a lot of shop owners in Anchorage who are impacted by the drop in spending.
"Money circulates if it stays here. It circulates four times. And that means it creates jobs for more people that live in Anchorage and it keeps our economy healthy," says Haag.
The Anchorage First program is a partnership between the AEDC, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, and Visit Anchorage.
