Buy into the Lakes Area

View List of Participating Businesses By Clicking Here!

**Updated July 28th, 2008**
Local businesses have pledged to shift a combined total of $1,067,469.40 of their spending locally! A growing list of participating businesses can be found here. Take a few moments to check it out!

Imagine our community at a time when our schools wouldn’t have to practice deficit spending: our local government could fund improved infrastructure and finish community projects; jobs are effortlessly created; tax revenues are increased without additional taxation; and all local businesses are thriving. Imagine achieving all of this with everyone’s commitment – and no one has to spend one additional nickel. Starting today we can Buy into the Lakes Area.

Buy into the Lakes Area, a public awareness campaign initiated by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, is about revitalizing our area economy and creating a sustainable future for our community. The goal of the Buy into the Lakes Area is to increase local business to business purchasing. This campaign was developed to reduce the amount of business lost to companies outside of Kandiyohi County. We encourage local businesses to consider buying from other local Chamber businesses before purchasing outside of our community.

We are asking businesses to evaluate their purchasing practices and pledge to shift 5% of their out-of-area purchases to local Chamber businesses.

The Findings

Kandiyohi County businesses spend a staggering amount of money. The following figures are based on research by the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development outside of the county.

• $840 million per year
• $3.2 million every business day*
• $400,000 every hour*
• $6,700 every minute*

(* Business day = Monday-Friday; 260 business days per year; 8 hours per day; 480 minutes per day)

What is the Impact

If all Kandiyohi County businesses would shift 5% of their current out-of-area purchases to within the local economy, the area could see an economic jolt of nearly $42 million.

• $42 million ~ Direct amount that a 5% spending shift would add to the local economy
• $66 million* ~ Total economic impact the spending shift would have on our economy
• 680 jobs ~ New jobs that could be gained from a spending shift to area companies

(* Based on 1.578 multiplier)

For more information view the Buy into the Lakes Area Frequently Asked Questions here.
The BITLA Power Point Presentation can be found here.

How do I Join?

1) Sign the pledge card. Pledge to shift 5% of your out-of-area purchases back into our local economy. You may sign the pledge card online!
2) Show your support. Let people know you are part of the Buy into the Lakes Area campaign. Use the Buy into the Lakes Area logo in marketing, advertising, letterhead and business displays.
3) Spread the word. If you need additional information about the Buy into the Lakes Area campaign, please call the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber at 320-235-0300.