Weekly Volcano

Go Greater Tacoma Local!

By weeklyvolcano on October 10, 2008

RON SWARNER: WHAT, NO SCONES? >>>

ME: Paul, are you writing up this Go Local! organizational workshop this morning?

PAUL SCHRAG: I don't know, you?

ME: I don't know.

Well I guess that's a big yes from Schrag. This just appeared on the Business Examiner's Daily E-mail Newsletter:

Business owners, public officials and community organizers gathered today at the University of Puget Sound to begin hammering out details prior to the officials launch of the Go Local! campaign in the Greater Tacoma region. A few dozen invited guests gathered to discuss the efforts' footprint, for example, membership categories and benefits, and to recruit board members, advisors and contributors.

"Now the real work begins," said Chuck Hellar, Go Local! progenitor and co-owner of Tacoma-based Chuckal's Inc. Office Products. 

Jeff Milchen of the American Independent Business Alliance shared success stories from his home town of Boulder, Co., where efforts similar to the Go Local program proposed for Tacoma have led to strong business growth. Based on discussions today, the Go Local! effort would be a non-profit, membership-driven community organization focused on becoming a catalyst and connector, providing resources, education, and opportunities for independent locally owned businesses.


Nice job Paul.

Milchen was thorough and impressive. After his hour-long presentation, Downtown Merchants Group President Patricia Lecy-Davis grabbed the meeting for a nuts and bolts session on how to take it to the next level â€" solidify the name (Go Local Tacoma!), establish a footprint (greater Tacoma area, which includes University Place, Lakewood, Puyallup and, basically, Pierce County), set membership categories and prices (done) and establish a board (in the process).

Yes, it will be an organization for small, independently-own businesses to gather strength and battle the big-box retailers and corporate giants of this world through collaborative campaigns, shared resources and education.  It will also be an organization to create and promote vibrant city centers through civic efforts.

As a independent local business owner with more than 40 years living and working in the greater Tacoma area, I was honored and proud to participate in this morning's program. It's a worthy organization with noble goals. I suggest Pierce County independently-owned business check out the Go Local! Web site and climb aboard.

Let's Go Local!