A group representing 47 local companies and 10 business associations from across Clark County will come together at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay in Vancouver on Tuesday with an ambitious goal: resuscitate the local economy by promoting local goods.
"Over $915 million goes across the river annually. Because of that, our local services take cuts," said Lori Buntin, events director of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and creator of Tuesday's Southwest Washington Shop Local Business Showcase, referring to the money residents of Clark County spent in Portland in 2008.
Buntin said this translates into over $75 million in state and local tax revenue lost, citing 2008 statistics from a study by the Columbia River Economic Development Council released last July.
Organizers of the Shop Local event hope to encourage spending in Clark County by emphasizing small measures Southwest Washington residents can take to boost the region's economy.
According to Buntin, if everyone in Clark County spent $6 a day on local goods, money they would have spent in Portland or with online retailers, over 5,500 new jobs in Southwest Washington could be created. "By saving a few cents, we are robbing ourselves of thousands of jobs," Buntin said.
These job creation estimates are based on CREDC's formula that every $1 million saved will translate into six new positions.
Speaking with the VBJ last week, Buntin encouraged Clark County residents to think of their spending habits' effect on the community and not just their bottom line – a tough prospect for many in trying economic times.
However, Vancouver's proximity to a sales tax-free state puts the region in a unique position, providing few points of reference for the region's economic planners, government officials and business people. "There isn't another economic model to teach us how to make this work," Buntin said.
Despite the challenges, there are still plenty of opportunities available to Shop Local participants. "We always look for ways to be part of the community, and this is obviously a win-win," said Ron Carr, director of community development for the Vancouver Volcanoes, part of the International Basketball League playing at Clark College in Vancouver.
Sean Guerrero, vice president of marketing at Vancouver-based tech support company CCSI, said he was very excited to support the local economy, especially given its increased focus on renewable energy sources.
"We want to stand with everyone. As soon as we heard all the chambers and business associations were coming, we pledged our full support," Guerrero said.
In planning next week's event, Buntin was first confronted with a daunting task: contacting hundreds of local business owners and convincing them to participate. However, she found a way to circumvent this problem. "We sent out invitations to all the local business associations. And the planets aligned for us," she said.
So with chambers of commerce representing Battle Ground, Camas, La Center/North Clark County and Woodland, as well as other business associations on board, a date was set and invitations were sent out.
Connie Christianson, president of the East Vancouver Business Association, said the high level of participation was a sign of solidarity among Clark County business owners.
"We created our association to let people know east Vancouver and downtown – though physically far apart – are unified," Christianson said. "This event accomplishes just that."
The free event will take place in the Red Lion Hotel ballroom from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
According to Buntin, the event will not resemble other trade shows. Rather than the typical "pipe and drape" exhibition booth setup, organizers plan to set up a series of tables spread about the room, with business owners and attendees encouraged to talk and mingle without any sales pressure.
According to Buntin, guests and exhibitors are encouraged to leave their feedback, as it will help determine the future of endeavors like next week's Shop Local event.
"This is a test. If it's successful we will plan more, as soon as possible," she said.
