Buy Local – Hire Local Forum

Action Plan Recommendations

“INTERNAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY SUCCESS”

1. Expand involvement in the program to include all interested area chambers and organizations.

2. “Find it Here First in the Kankakee County Area”© database, and directory, rolodex, Web page, and etc.

3. “Locally Owned and Operated” decals (business, vehicles), marketing, telephone greeting, stationary, and etc.

4. “Buy Local – Hire Local Commitment Committee” (3 persons) to personally meet with larger purchasers CEO to promote program and corporate purchasing commitment.

5. Create and promote a targeted quota of “local vendor” preference in contracts and purchasing (“River Valley Investment” – i.e. 15% min.)

6. Develop and disseminate a “Buy Local – Hire Local Commitment Proclamation” and secure participants who adopt/approve the proclamation and publish the list of participants.

7. Create an extensive and on-going media marketing program that promotes the Action Plan activities, including, but not limited to a press conference and photo session publicizing the entities that initially adopt the “Proclamation” (#5 above).

8. Create an extensive and on-going media marketing program and periodic activities that celebrates the identified successes of the “Buy Local – Hire Local” program and subsequent “Proclamation” entities.

9. Identify, develop, and conduct seminars on related informational topics.

© June, 2002 – Bradley-Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce