Backyard Economics Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2009
CONTACT: Lisa Hall (850) 508-7782, Lisa.Hall@SalterMitchell.com
Economic Recovery Begins at Home
Grassroots effort aims to save Florida Jobs
TALLAHASSEE — As mass layoffs, state budget woes, school funding cuts, foreclosed houses and boarded up business leave Florida’s economy gloomy and uncertain, a grassroots push is underway to facilitate economic recovery at the local level. Today a coalition representing Florida businesses, media and city leaders launched a grassroots campaign urging Florida citizens to plant the seeds of economic recovery in their own backyards – by spending their money close to home.
“Florida’s Gross Domestic Product is 75-percent of consumer spending,” said Rick McAllister, President and CEO, Florida Retail Federation. “Our entire economy rides on how much Florida consumers consume and more importantly where they consume it. We can recover faster than expected if we convince Floridians to do their spending close to home and support the businesses that are invested in their communities and their state.”
Backers of the “Backyard Economics” campaign include the Florida Retail Federation, The Florida Chamber, the Florida League of Mayors, the Florida Press Association, the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute and government watchdog.
According to a special Florida TaxWatch report released at the campaign kickoff, Florida consumers spent an estimated $11.2 billion in online shopping from other states and countries last year. The result of this spending - more than 112,000 full-time job losses in Florida. The study – “Out-of-State Online Shopping Costs Florida Thousands of Jobs” – is available for download at www.BackyardEconomics.com.
“Every $100,000 worth of online shopping costs one Floridian to lose his/her full-time job,” explained Dominic Calabro, President and CEO, Florida TaxWatch. “And we’re not just talking about retail jobs either. There is a domino effect that impacts every employment sector in the state.”
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While it will take time to determine the impact of the newly-signed national economic stimulus package on job creation in Florida, consumer support for brick and mortar businesses that are invested in their neighborhoods and cities can quickly help save jobs and vital services.
“Backyard Economics is a great, voluntary program that encourages people to buy from Florida companies,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce. “When Floridians know about the positive economic impacts to our state from buying local, they’re more likely to make a purchase here at home.”
Gainesville Mayor Pagheen Hanrahan leads the Florida League of Mayors and she is hopeful Florida consumers will feel empowered when they learn how the dollars they spend locally will help their community.
“We know that times are tough right now so we’re not asking our neighbors and residents to spend money they don’t have. When people do spend their money, we simply want them to pay attention to where those dollars are going. By keeping their money in their community, they are boosting local revenues in the form of business and sales taxes that will be spent many times over,“ she said.
Another industry impacted by the current economy is the media, which is now helping spread the message about “backyard economics.” A significant number of radio, television and newspapers outlets, which rely on advertisements from local retailers and business, are laying off staff and cutting production in the face of shrinking advertising revenues.
”The struggling economy and the impact on communities we serve are documented in the pages of our member newspapers every day,” said Dean Ridings, President, Florida Press Association. “We’re committed to helping our communities rebound and local spending is critical to making that happen.”
All of the campaign partners are working to mobilize their members to join the cause and educate consumers. From member newsletters, magazines and websites to community presentations, newspaper ads and billboards – the grassroots approach pools partner resources to deliver a vital message: Local Spending Works.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.BackyardEconomics.com.
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