Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison is calling on people to show their support for small businesses as part of a new nationwide campaign encouraging people to Go Local First.
The Go Local First campaign, an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), will highlight the vital role of small businesses in our nation’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and in keeping local communities thriving.
“We know that 98 per cent of all Australian businesses are small businesses; often family-run affairs where people wear multiple hats, the hours are long and customers become friends,” Ms Aitchison said.
“Many Maitland small businesspeople are now fighting to overcome the greatest economic challenge of a century – the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Ms Aitchison said the pandemic had been a lesson in the importance of buying local.
“As global supply chains shudder under the strain of COVID we have finally realised as a community the importance of local manufacturing and local businesses.
“Many Maitland residents have rediscovered their local grocers, butchers, tradies, professional services, restaurants, cafes, wineries and producers, but we need to support them more.
“Our local small businesses need us to back them now, by going local first whenever we need a product or service.
“When you spend local, it stays local. Every dollar spent in small business has a multiplier effect that benefits the entire community.
“I call on everyone in Maitland to show their support for our small businesspeople and members of their local communities and #GoLocalFirst to support #MadeinNSW.”
The Go Local First campaign will be rolled out on outdoor, radio and digital advertising over the next six months with a call to action to consumers to spend locally first.
Ms Aitchison said that there were many ways people could show their support.
“If you shop or dine locally, share your great experiences. Tag businesses using the #golocalfirst hashtag, leave a review, or simply ‘like’ their social media accounts,” Ms Aitchison said.
For more information on the campaign, or to be part of it, go to www.golocalfirst.com.au.
