For Residents
Would you like to support local businesses and contribute to a stronger local economy?
Join the ranks of thousands of GO LOCAL fans and help spread the word!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
What's a "Localist"?
Someone who regularly supports local businesses and actively finds new ways to shift their dollars locally.
How to become a Localist:
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Learn the SIX top reasons to GO LOCAL in this story. Share one good reason with a friend!
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Sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers from our member businesses, local business news, and ideas for how to shop better and local.
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Search hundreds of business listings with the GO LOCAL list online for locally owned businesses, including online ordering options or those offering gift cards. Link to their websites and view their Facebook feeds all in one spot with GO LOCAL.
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Search GO LOCAL Rewards! Many of our members offer GO LOCAL Rewards as a thanks for your patronage, and now it's easier than ever to reap the rewards of spending locally with GO LOCAL's "Show the Card" Reward offers.
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Want a free GO LOCAL Rewards Card? Pick one up at Corrick's in downtown Santa Rosa, or contact us to get a free card mailed to you.
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Follow us on Facebook for inspiration about local businesses and organizations, local events, educational resources, and more.
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Follow us on Instagram at @golocalsoco and @madelocalmagazine.
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Read and share our GO LOCAL Pocket Guide - available to pick up for free from local merchants, or read it as an online flipbook here.
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Read and share Made Local Magazine - Pick up a FREE issue in racks at local grocers and other retailers, or read it as an online flipbook here.
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Recommend local businesses to your friends and family.
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Ask your employer to source from local vendors.
Together, we can continue to help build and sustain a strong local economy.
BACKGROUND
Quality of Life and A Healthy Economy
Despite the many differences residents of Sonoma County may have, there is one thing we all share in common—we want a better quality of life. Quality of life can mean different things to different people. But most people agree that having a strong local economy is a major influence. After all, we all want good jobs for ourselves and our neighbors.
A strong local economy creates higher quality of life for all residents. It starts with you and the few simple choices you make every day about purchases.
You Can Help Build a Strong Local Economy—Shift Your Spending to Local Businesses
The average Sonoma County household spends slightly more than $60,000 a year on goods and services. If all of that were spent with local goods and services providers, then an estimated $15,000 or 25% more per average household would re-circulate in Sonoma County. That's $2.3 billion every year.
Buying online is the worst possible scenario for where to put your money. Sonoma County residents spent approximately $560 million online last year. Poof, gone. Not only did we lose the sales taxes on most of that, there was no benefit to ANY locally owned business nor to other businesses with a location here.
So, what can you do? We may be idealistic, but we're not unrealistic. We're asking you to shift some of your purchasing to locally owned businesses.
Here's a simple example.
The next time you head to a grocery store, consider going to Oliver's Market, Andy's Produce Market, Community Market, Molsberry's Market, or other local grocers. They offer a great selection of local products at very competitive prices. Let's say you spend $200 per week on groceries. When you shop at those markets, about $50 more stays in Sonoma County than if you went to a grocery store that is owned by a company outside Sonoma County. That adds up to $2,600 a year you have contributed to your community.
GO LOCAL and our Rewards Program can help you shift your purchasing, which means you can contribute to our local economy without spending more, just spend smarter.