Thursday, May 21st, 2009...2:28 pm
Saving local business, three shops at a time
First posted at the PopTech blog.
It’s such a simple idea. And that’s the beauty of it. The 3/50 Project is a grassroots campaign to save independent businesses — “the brick-and-mortars our nation is built on.” It suggests that we choose our three favorite locally owned businesses, and at those three shops combined, commit to spending $50 a month.
If half of the U.S. population did this, we would generate more than $42 trillion in revenue. (That’s how many of us read this blog, right?) And, “For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.”
About 3,000 independent businesses have officially signed up on the site as project participants, and no doubt many more are spreading the word, with downloadable flyers, banners and website badges available to anyone.
Not only is this idea a cause anyone can get behind, its execution is inspiring. Take an old idea, package it beautifully, translate it into actionable terms, and give it a name. (Of course, compelling stats don’t hurt… and Facebook is a must.)
I’m holding out for my own big-idea-made-simple. (In time!) What will yours be?
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