What is Try Local First?
TryLocalFirst.org is a coalition of local business organizations in East Multnomah County, Oregon, formed to encourage local area residents and businesses to purchase locally whenever possible.
The organization got off the ground in 2008 thanks to Mark Garber from the Outlook and Bess Wills from Gresham Ford in an effort to lead the way for a better community for all East County residents. Mark and Bess were able to organize all of the local business organizations to work together under one common theme: to support local businesses.
Under the umbrella of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce, the coalition consists of representatives from the Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association, West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, Rockwood Business Coalition, Gresham Downtown Development Association, and East Metro Economic Alliance.
TryLocalFirst.org started its first public campaign in 2008 with a $1,000 shopping spree that was awarded right before the Christmas Holiday season. In early 2009, it launched the Discover East County campaign that included prizes from local businesses combined together to create 3 separate packages tailored to a family, a couple and an individual. The goal of the campaigns is to educate the residents of East County on the benefits of shopping locally.
The organization is currently developing a customer loyalty program to help local businesses attract and retain more customers. It is participating in the Economic Summit scheduled for the fall of 2009. It is sponsoring an essay contest with the help of the Outlook to create awareness among children in our community of the benefits of supporting your local community — lessons that we hope will carry with them for a lifetime.
TryLocalFirst.org would not be as successful if it were not for the many volunteers that have dedicated their time, energy and money for this important cause. The ideas that it promotes are universal and beneficial to almost everyone. Because of that, the organization remains open to anyone who wants to get involved.
