“Shop Scott” Website Launched At Annual Chamber Meeting

Huntsville, TN (2012-01-26) Scott County Mayor Jeff Tibbals unveiled a new "shop local" initiative — Shop Scott — at Thursday's annual meeting of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce at the County Office Building here.

A collaborative effort of the County Mayor's Office and the Chamber of Commerce, the initiative launched with the unveiling of ShopScott.net, a new website that urges Scott Countians to shift as much of their shopping as possible to local businesses.

As part of a broader effort to boost economic recovery in Scott County, the ShopScott.net website includes listings for all retail-oriented members of the Chamber of Commerce and includes reasons for shopping at local businesses as opposed to shopping out-of-town.

Estimates indicate that Scott County is currently "leaking" about $29 million each year in purchases made outside Scott County. Retail sectors where money is being lost include everything from motor vehicle purchases to building supplies and eating out.

"Every dollar we spend outside Scott County is a dollar that could help strengthen our local economy," Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacey Kidd said. "Purchases made at home help to create jobs, strengthen the local businesses that are the backbone of our economy, and generate tax revenues that help fund our schools and keep property taxes lower."

The bulk of the local revenue created by sales taxes goes to education, while the rest is divided between local municipal governments and the county government, and is used to help fund everything from road repairs to law enforcement and other emergency services.

Statistics show that if each Scott Countian shifted just 10% of their purchases to local retailers, an additional $3 million in sales would be generated for local businesses, and an extra $67,000 in tax revenues would be received to help fund the budgets of local government.

"Whether you spend $10,000 a year or $100 a year outside Scott County, you can make a difference by considering local businesses first," Kidd said. "Research shows that between 40% and 70% of every dollar spent in a community stays in that community's economy. That money strengthens the economy by creating jobs and expanding the tax base."

The ShopScott.net website, which includes a directory of local businesses, is for businesses and shoppers alike to get involved in the effort to strengthen the local economy, by listing promotions, and offering monthly giveaways (Brimstone Recreation is giving away a free annual pass in February), and exclusive coupons from local retailers.

Visit the website at www.shopscott.net.