Private and public sector employers across Western New York are being encouraged to support one another and boost the economy in the process through the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership's 'Buy Local Challenge.' Partnership President and CEO Andrew Rudnick says if area businesses and governments shift just a small amount of their spending to locally-sourced products and services, it would have a significant effect.
"If we do one percent, that's $700 billion a year, year in and year out, injected into our local economy. That has a multiplier effect that puts it well over $1 billion of regional impact," Rudnick said.
Employers that make a first-time purchase of a product or service from a new regional vendor in 2013 will gain access to the Partnership's 'Buy Local' brand to raise awareness about their commitment.
"The results will be not only important for each buyer's bottom line in quality and time and cost, but the impact then will be multiplier across the entire regional economy to everyone's benefit."
Rudnick says it's a simple thing to do and easy for anyone to participate in.