Buy local campaign underway in Miami, Okla - KOAM TV 7

There's a new push in Miami, Oklahoma to boost local business and the local economy.

The new living campaign launched about a week ago and it's slogan is simple:  "Think local.  Buy local.  Be local."

"It's an initiative to get the message out be consistent, remindful and redundant if you will about how the importance of spending dollars locally," says Ian Drake, the executive director of the Miami Chamber of Commerce.

It's all about generating business where it matter's most.

"Every dollar I think - I should know this - but I believe probably circulates three to five times, and so if you're circulating that dollar out of the community, really aren't we, if we leave our communities and go to other communities and spend money from products and services we could get here, it's what I would consider pennies from heaven for those other communities," says Drake.

"We depend so much on our local business to keep us afloat," says Michael Addington, an operating partner of Montana Mike's Steakhouse, one of the first businesses already on board with the campaign.

Addington spent $125 to buy a "Living local" display sign and says it's a small price to pay for big benefits.

"It's a long term message," says Addington.  "If we can change people's habits to start buying locally, everyday we strive to help business and if this will bring us in five customers, it pays for the ad, that's it."

The Miami chamber is also selling "Living local" t-shirts for $10 in hopes of creating a walking advertisement for their campaign.

"We're going to urge businesses to buy the t-shirts, have their employees wear them maybe one day a week, maybe 'Live local Thursdays,'" says Drake.  "If it's available here in our community lets take every opportunity we can to buy local first."

Again, all Miami businesses are urged to participate in this new campaign.  Signs and t-shirts can be purchased through the chamber of commerce.  A majority of those funds will help to market the initiative even more.