Below are a few trends from the first year reports: 
The average business shifted $13,000 in products and services.
The most popular shifts were printing products and/or services, followed by office supplies.
Most products/services shifted were purchased out-of-state prior to the shift.

It has been determined that a shift of 5% of existing purchases from outside the area, to Linn County, would provide an additional $400,000,000 in money staying in the community. This money would provide 2000 new jobs, and circulate through the county many times over. The current state of the economy and continued flood recovery efforts only add to the reasons to participate in “Buy In.” Of course, at times, it may not possible to always buy locally. In those instances, buying Iowa helps all of us, as well.

Being a local business, we know that our company and the thousands of businesses in the community, can benefit from this program. Similar endeavors in other cities have shown us that it can work. It has in places like Des Moines and Iowa City, to name a few.

Buying local is about more than statistics. Buying local is about getting, and giving the personal touch with each transaction, that makes business so worthwhile. It is also about quality service, money staying here, more local hiring, and continued growth opportunities for the “whole.” More than anything, “Buy In” is about conducting business with your neighbor, which makes this program so satisfying.

As of this writing, approximately 110 businesses have signed up, and 25 have reported shifting some purchases to local suppliers. There really is little reason not to target 100% participation. I encourage you all to contact Jeff Schamberger at the Chamber, and request to be part of this movement. We will all be glad you did.

Sincerely,

Scott Gasway

President

J.P.Gasway Company

J.P. Gasway  is a local company providing printing and imaging papers, office products, packaging supplies, and custodial products. They have been part of the community since 1935.

However, business pledges are just the beginning, some of those businesses have already used the REPORT IN feature on the website to inform us of the dollars being shifted– together, we have already brought over $148,000 into Linn County businesses!

So what are members saying about BUY IN?

“As a flood victim, we believe the quickest way for Cedar Rapids to recover from the flood is to give our business to local merchants and service providers,” said Jim Thebeau, partner & CEO of Henry Russell Bruce in Cedar Rapids. 

Warren Geisler and Kris Walderbach, owners of Quality Print, Lucky Awards, and The Button Whole in Marion agree.  “We make a point of checking for a local source each time we make a purchase.” Warren continues, “Finding a local business was relatively easy.  We were able to purchase one item from a local supplier we were already using.  We didn’t realize they were able to offer us the same item that we had previously purchased out of state.”

Both companies have pledged to BUY IN on this website and have already reported shifts of several thousand dollars. The Chamber would like you to add your business to the growing list of businesses pledging to shift 5% back to Linn County.  Remember, it’s not about buying more; it’s about keeping more of what you spend here.

What is BUY IN?
Led by the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, BUY IN is an initiative encouraging area businesses to shift just 5% of their current out-of-area purchases back into our local economy. It’s not about buying more – it’s about keeping more of the dollars you already spend right here in Linn County. The potential result if our community shifts just 5%– more than $400 million in additional sales for local businesses which then creates a demand for an additional 2,300 additional jobs.