October 1-3, 2021: Buy Nearby Weekend

WHEREAS, Buy Nearby is an ongoing, year-round campaign launched by the Michigan Retailers Association to benefit Michigan communities and their retail businesses; and,

 

WHEREAS, the campaign encourages Michiganders to think before they click on out-of-state online store sites, and instead buy from retail businesses where they live, work, or visit in Michigan so more shopping dollars stay in our local communities and state economy; and,

 

WHEREAS, buying nearby and supporting Michigan-based retail businesses is more important now than ever as retailers recover from the impact the coronavirus pandemic; and,

 

WHEREAS, retailers continue to make customer and employee safety a priority in addition to offering multiple shopping options from in-store to curbside to home delivery, to conveniently meet customers' needs and preferences; and,

 

WHEREAS, Buy Nearby, now in its ninth year, strives to instill a "Pure Michigan" feeling to the shopping experience and send the message to "Keep your money in the Mitten"; and,

 

WHEREAS, retailing is responsible for 758,000 jobs in Michigan, a number that could rise through increased local purchases; and,

 

WHEREAS, if Michigan shoppers switched just one in ten of their out-of-state purchases to a Michigan retailer, it would create an additional $1.9 billion in economic activity and over 14,000 new jobs amounting to $533 million in additional wages; and,

 

WHEREAS, each purchase made at a Michigan store keeps more money in our communities, improving the vitality of our local economies and the quality of life, and directly supports our communities, schools, and infrastructure; and,

 

WHEREAS, the year-round Buy Nearby campaign has designated October 1-3, 2021, as Buy Nearby Weekend, a three-day observance for all to celebrate local communities and their retail businesses; and,

 

WHEREAS, communities and retailers are encouraged to offer special events and other promotions to encourage local shopping and stimulate Michigan's economy on Buy Nearby Weekend; and,

 

WHEREAS, residents are encouraged to shop with family and friends and support their communities and local retailers by posting photos and comments on social media using the #buynearbymi hashtag; and,

 

WHEREAS, Buy Nearby weekend will demonstrate that buying nearby can be fun and rewarding;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 1-3, 2021, as Buy Nearby Weekend in Michigan.