Media Release
Monday, October 3, 2022
Halifax (Kjipuktuk), N.S. – Today marks the launch of our “Buy Local Again” campaign, a partnership of 10 business improvement districts (BIDs) across the province, all with a shared vision of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported local businesses throughout the pandemic.
The “Buy Local Again” campaign is a reality because of funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and is a fun way to instill a sense of pride in our communities, thank and inspire people who have been shopping local, and motivate others to start.
“Small businesses on Nova Scotia’s main streets have had it tough. Lockdowns, restrictions, and changing consumer behaviours have made the past three years very challenging,” says Paul MacKinnon, CEO of Downtown Halifax Business Commission. “We wanted to do something that reminds people of just how important it is to shop local.”
The 10 BIDs working together are, Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, Downtown Halifax Business Commission, Kentville Business Community, North End Business Association, Porters Lake Business Association, Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association, Sackville Business Association, Spring Garden Area Business Association, Spryfield Business Commission, and The Village on Main ‐ Community Improvement District. Charcoal Marketing was hired to bring the campaign to life.
“One of the great pleasures in creating this campaign was the time spent with local businesses, getting their perspectives on the economy, their customers, and their prospects for growth. The pandemic has certainly been tough on everyone in a variety of different ways, but their optimism and enthusiasm for the future is inspiring,” says Mike Hayes, CMO, Charcoal Marketing.
“Shopping local is the best thing anyone can do for the economy and the environment,” says Wendy Friedman, owner of The Independent Mercantile Co., and member of North End Business Association. “We live and breathe this community, and your support has kept us going through really challenging times, so thank you!”
Gratitude is at the core of this campaign and people are encouraged to sign the “shop local” pledge at www.buylocalagain.ca. Those who sign, have a chance at winning a $100 gift card from any of the 10 BIDs involved.
Social media handles and hash tags:
IG - @buylocal.again
FB - @buylocalagain
Twitter - @buylocalagain
#BuyLocalAgain
#YourThankfulStreets
About Business Improvement Districts:
A business improvement district (BID) is a not-for-profit organization that acts as the voice and resource for the businesses located in that area (members.) They run programs, events, and marketing initiatives with a purpose of increasing traffic to their members locations (shops, restaurants, venues etc.)
About Downtown Halifax Business Commission:
Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) represents over 1,600 businesses located in the central business district of Halifax, Nova Scotia. DHBC’s mission is to passionately pursue a more prosperous and vibrant Downtown Halifax, through good development, Downtown mobility, membership services, DHBC leadership, and Downtown placemaking. For more information, visit downtownhalifax.ca.
Land Acknowledgement:
Downtown Halifax Business Commission acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
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For more information, and media inquiries please contact:
Jayme Lynn Butt (she/her)
Communications Manager
Direct Line: 902.428.5433
jayme@downtownhalifax.ca