Local Proud
Milford, CT 06460
ph: 203-874-0115
localpro
News/Press Releases
Mayor Proclaims Local Proud Week
September 15, 2009FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Milford Mayor, James Richitelli, is Local Proud, and he wants everyone to know it.
The Mayor will be proclaiming Milford Local Proud Week
Monday, September 28th 9:00 am
on the steps of City Hall
Local Proud is a buy-local campaign designed to support locally owned and independent businesses in Milford. This initative is spearheaded by Economic Development commissioner and local business owner, Susan Ashelford.
“This program perfectly reflects the Economic Development Commission’s goal of strengthening businesses, fostering stronger communities, increasing job opportunities, and expanding Milford’s economic base while honoring our commitment to the history and character of Milford” says Genevieve Salvatore, the Economic Development Commission’s Chairwoman.
Greater support for locally owned and operated businesses will have a hugely positive effect for all of Milford. According to studies, including a 2008 study by the Institute for Local Self Reliance, locally owned businesses recycle about 45% of their revenue back into the local economy.
Milford’s Local Proud highlights the connection between shopping locally owned, independent businesses and retaining the community’s distinct character. Local Proud asks consumers to: choose personality over conformity; keep more money in the local economy; sustain and create more local jobs; and support environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
The Local Proud program is already off to a strong start with many residents and local business owners signing onto the program. A 13-week intensive launch will kick-off the week of September 28th with the theme: “We’re so Much More…We’re Your Community.”
There are 100s of reasons to be Local Proud but the 100s of independent business owners and their employees is the single best reason for all of us to be Local Proud—our business is our community.
The organizers of Local Proud are Susan Ashelford, an EDC commissioner who is spearheading Local Proud and is also the owner of Given to Gauche; Dayan Moore, the co-founder and owner of GG2G, an eco-conscious company that creates fashion accessories from recycle materials; Anna Rubino, who developed the “M” design for Local Proud and is the owner of a branding and identity design firm, Anna Rubino Design, LLC.; and Susan Shaw, the owner of Collected Stories Bookstores.
Local Proud was developed under the auspices of Milford’s Economic Development Commission.
For more information on the program, contact Susan Shaw at 203-874-0115; visit our website, www.milfordlocalproud.com or email, localproud@milfordlocalproud.com
Local Proud Launches Sept. 27 2009
August 27, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Milford is Local Proud.
Local Proud is a buy-local campaign designed to support locally owned and independent businesses in Milford. Spearheaded by Susan Ashelford who owns Given to Gauche and is a commissioner on the Economic Development Commission, the program’s goal is to shift 10% of the purchases made at non-independent stores to locally owned and operated businesses.
The shift in dollars will have a hugely positive effect for all of Milford. According to studies, including a 2008 study by the Institute for Local Self Reliance, locally owned businesses recycle about 45% of their revenue back into the local economy.
Commissioner Ashelford adds that “results from other communities demonstrate that not only do dollars spent locally stay local, but local businesses contribute more to local non-profits and participate more in community life; and local independents demand less energy resources and public infrastructure.”
Milford’s Local Proud highlights the connection between shopping locally owned, independent businesses and retaining the community’s distinct character. Local Proud asks consumers to: choose personality over conformity; keep more money in the local economy; sustain and create more local jobs; and support environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
The desire to support locally owned businesses is an emerging factor in people’s shopping choices, with more and more people seeking out locally owned shops and goods. Local farms and farmers’ markets are more popular than ever as people have discovered the health and ecological benefits of eating locally produced food. Also, travelers seek out destinations that offer them a sense of being someplace…not just anyplace.
“This program perfectly reflects the Economic Development Commission’s goal of strengthening businesses, fostering stronger communities, increasing job opportunities, and expanding Milford’s economic base while honoring our commitment to the history and character of Milford” says Genevieve Salvatore, the Economic Development Commission’s Chairwoman.
Local Proud will kick off the week of September 27th with a 13-week launch: “We’re So Much More….We’re Your Community.”
There are 100s of reasons to be Local Proud but the 100s of independent business owners and their employees is the single best reason for all of us to be Local Proud—our business is our community.
Local Proud was developed under the auspicious of Milford’s Economic Development Commission. The committee members are, Susan Ashelford; Dayan Moore owner and co-founder of Green Goods 2 Go; Anna Rubino who is the graphic designer for Local Proud; and Susan Shaw, owner of Collected Stories Bookstores.
For more information on the program, contact Susan Shaw at 203-874-0115; visit our website, www.milfordlocalproud.com or email, localproud@milfordlocalproud.com
Local Proud has been profiled in these media outlets:
NBC News 30, Monday September 5, 2009
The Milford Mirror, Friday, September 18, 2009
The Connecticut Post, September 17, 2009
Milford slates ‘Local Proud’ campaign
MILFORD — Small, independently owned local businesses are kicking off a “Local Proud” initiative later this month.
Economic Development Commissioner Susan Ashelford, who owns Given to Gauche, and Planning and Zoning member Susan Shaw, who owns Collected Stories, created “Local Proud.”
The kickoff will begin the week of Sept. 27 with the city declaring it “Local Proud Week.” There will be a launch party for participating businesses.
The awareness campaign will focus on educating consumers of the benefits of buying locally, and will include banner displays, brochures, Web site information and the use of a stylized “M” for Milford and a coastal scene highlighting the city’s 17 miles of shoreline for branding materials.
“It’s the letter “M,” Shaw said. “I wanted something iconic, very recognizable, and very individual to a business.”
She said the “M” will be in every promotional piece, but businesses can add their own decal highlighting their specific trade.
“This campaign will appeal to residents and visitors by highlighting the reasons independent businesses are critically important to developing, growing and ensuring strong, vibrant communities; while at the same time, highlighting the direct economic roles that consumers play every time they purchase services or goods,” Shaw wrote in the “Local Proud” marketing plan.
The 13-week promotion will start with “We’re So Much More.”
It will conclude with the message, “We are your community.”
The promotions each week will include photo collages, photo of shops and restaurants, photos of Charles Island, Milford Cemetery and Captain Kidd.
Shaw said she the idea is to have the campaign run up to the holiday season.
For a business to participate, it will cost $35, nonprofits $35, and individuals $25, and the estimated budget is $14,450.
A locally owned business is defined as privately owned and the owner lives within 20 miles of the city.
Shaw said each dollar that consumers spend in locally owned independent businesses returns 25 cents more to the community than if that money had been spent elsewhere.
Shaw said she, Ashelford and Ann Rubino, who designed the graphics, studied other “buy local” campaigns across the country.
Economic Development Commissioner Tessa Marquis said she thinks the awareness campaign is “fabulous.”
Brian McCready can be reached at briannhregister@gmail.com or 789-5719.
Milford officials push 'buy local’ initiative
MILFORD — Two local officials who own small businesses downtown are planning what they say is a unique awareness campaign to highlight the benefits of buying local.
Economic Development Commissioner Susan Ashelford, who owns Given to Gauche, and Planning and Zoning Board member Susan Shaw, who owns Collected Stories, have hatched an awareness campaign called “Local Proud.”
“Nobody understands what it means to buy locally,” Shaw said. “A lot of business owners have a lot of imagination. It’s about community. It’s very exciting to try and make sure businesses keep their individuality.”
Shaw said the campaign will include creating banners, decals, and posters for businesses and devising themes for promoting local businesses. Each logo will feature a stylized “M” for Milford and a coastal scene highlighting the city’s 17 miles of shoreline.
“You can personalize it to your own business,” Shaw said. “We’ve wanted to do this for a long time.”
The group will charge a $25 annual fee, and that money will go towards creating the banners, and printing costs. Anna Rubino is assisting with the graphics, Ashelford said. A Web site also will be created to promote local city businesses, the women said. The banners and graphics will highlight some businesses and rotate them to help with advertising.
Ashelford said the posters will be displayed at all participating businesses, and will include reasons why patrons should support local merchants. She said for every $1 spent at a local business, 33 cents goes back into the community.
Both women said the poor economy is not the reason they started the “Local Proud” initiative. “People are more discerning with their dollars and this will remind them why they spend their dollars,” Ashelford said.
Shaw said the “Local Proud” movement is an extension of the green campaign and when people come into the shops, they remark at what a “distinct flavor and spirit” local businesses have. “This is about celebrating smaller businesses and individually owned businesses throughout Milford,” Ashelford said.
Brian McCready can be reached at briannhregister@gmail.com or 789-5719.
Milford, CT 06460
ph: 203-874-0115
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