THINK LOCAL FIRST
SANTA BARBARA FIRST
The Chamber encourages everyone to “think local first.” It is in all of our best interests to buy products and services that are grown, produced or sold locally. Local businesses are community stewards. They donate to our non-profits, pay local taxes and recycle money back into the local economy. Buying local builds community wealth. Buying locally is not only good for the environment; it’s good for your friends and neighbors.
Businesses that wish to participate in the Santa Barbara First Campaign must agree to first source local products and services (should their needs not be available locally, they may source outside the area). They also must agree to contribute to local non-profit organizations (contributions can be any combination of cash, in kind donations, products, services or volunteer time).
"Think Local First" is a term developed to refer to our commitment to our communities. By thinking local, we can make choices that have dramatic impact on our local communities, economies, and environments. We recognize that we will rarely be able to buy everything we need or use from local businesses. But we are advocating that people first think local - look first for local and locally owned sources of the things they need and want - to maximize the impact of their daily actions and purchasing decisions.
The Santa Barbara First campaign educates consumers about the economic and social advantages that independent and local businesses bring to a community. The goal is to create a thriving local economy by maximizing the potential of local businesses, and transferring market share (business, government, and consumer purchases) to local businesses.
One of the greatest things an individual can do to support his or her local community is to patronize its locally owned businesses. Local independent businesses recycle more money back into the local economy and give greater support to a community's nonprofit and civic needs. They are better positioned to respond to the special needs of the community, and they are more tied to the community's future. Additionally, unlike a homogenized Anyplace, USA, a community with vibrant independent businesses retains its unique character as a great place to live and visit. In promoting the Santa Barbara First campaign, our community supports a thriving local economy and its way of life.
Click here for a list of our current participants:
To participate in the campaign contact Steve Cushman, chamber president, or visit our web site: