The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce is joining chambers and small businesses across the state of Illinois to launch the ‘IL’ove Local campaign to encourage people to support local businesses during the week of April 11 – 18, 2020. While the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) is leading efforts to unite chambers across the state in the initiative, the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce is taking a leadership role in our community.
“Our local businesses are the heart and soul of Macomb,” said Lauren Merritt, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, “It is more important than ever to show our support for the many stores, restaurants, and businesses that make this a great place to live and there are ways to do this while staying home and keeping everyone safe.”
The statistics are staggering for small businesses following natural disasters: according to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open.
“People across the state are staying home to save lives, we want to ensure that small businesses can save their livelihoods,” said Lisa Weitzel, President of Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. “We are asking neighbors to put their money where their heart is and support the ‘IL’ove Local initiative.”
Each dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 50 times more money to the local economy than shopping at a mega e-retailer. Across Illinois, small businesses provide communities with good jobs, quality service, and the character that makes cities, towns and neighborhoods feel like home.
From Chicago to Carbondale and the Mississippi to Lake Michigan, Illinois chambers are coming together sharing resources, building community and uniting to create the week-long initiative designed to drive business to our small businesses. Collectively small, local businesses are the states’ largest employer. Small businesses employ more than half of working class in the United States.
WHAT SHOPPERS CAN DO
Printed courtesy of www.macombareachamber.com/ – Contact the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.
214 N. Lafayette St., Macomb, IL 61455 – (309) 837-4855 – info@macombareachamber.com