If you live in Ann Arbor, there's a good chance you've heard the message "Buy Local," and you probably know there's a ripple effect for every dollar spent at a locally owned business.
"A mere 10 percent shift in consumer spending, from chains and the Internet, to locally owned retail, would create hundreds of new jobs and more than $78 million in increased economic output for the Ann Arbor area," according to BuyLocalAnnArbor.com.
"Consumers don't have to spend more, just spend differently."
The city of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor District Library are teaming up to host a four-part series of sustainability forums and economic vitality is one of the themes.
Customer loyalty to Ann Arbor-based Zingerman's Deli helped fuel this recent expansion of the locally owned eatery. Paul Saginaw, founding partner of Zingerman's, will speak at the next Sustainable Ann Arbor event.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The event at the downtown library, 343 S. Fifth Ave., is the second in the series. The forum is free to attend and runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The discussion will focus on economic vitality, including opportunities to build a strong sense of place in the community.
Speakers will include:
- Mary Jo Callan, director of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development
- Dan Gilmartin, executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League
- Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK
- Ingrid Ault, executive director of Think Local First
- Paul Saginaw, founding partner of Zingerman's Deli
The program will include a series of short presentations, a question-and-answer session, and tips for individual actions. A follow-up session to discuss key issues and questions related to economic vitality will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Pittsfield Branch Library, 2359 Oak Valley Drive.
Future events in the Sustainable Ann Arbor series include:
- March 21 — Diverse Housing, including how to meet current and future needs of the community with changing housing demographics, such as older residents, a high rental population, and affordability.
- April 18 — Transportation Options, including the transition to more fuel-efficient modes of transit, such as electric vehicles and non-motorized planning efforts in the community.
For more details about the series and videos from last year's Sustainable Ann Arbor forums, visit the city website at www.a2gov.org/sustainability/Pages/SustainableAnnArborForum.aspx.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.