[The following is a letter that was delivered to Mayor Buddy Dyer this week in an effort to get the city's misleading "Buy Local Orlando" program to either stop citing studies and using language that is specifically about local & independent businesses or restrict membership of their program to these businesses instead of allowing chains, franchises and big box stores to participate. Read more on the back story here, and read below for our direct response to the City of Orlando.]
Dear Mayor Dyer,
The Progressive Local Alliance for Community Enrichment (PLACE) was recently contacted by the media to comment on the addition of the new “Buy Local Orlando” program. Our first response was absolute support as we want to live in a city that understands the immense value of local, independent businesses. However, as we looked closer into the program, we realized that the city is using statistics based on supporting truly independent, local businesses; yet, the program actually allows any local business with a tax ID to participate thus making these statistics absolutely false and completely misleading. By including national chains, franchises and big box stores like Walmart and McDonald’s it defeats the movement’s independent and sustainable mission.
We understand that the city wants to increase support of local businesses. It is also reasonable that the city must support all businesses operating in the city including chains that contribute to Orlando’s tax base. This is why successful “local first” programs like those in Austin and Portland are run by NGO’s that can choose who they support and promote. As well as why PLACE, a non-profit organization comprised of local business & community leaders who are passionate about co-creating a vibrant local living economy, has spent the last year diligently working to develop Orlando’s very own local, independent business alliance.
PLACE was established to ensure that Orlando is a great place to live, work & play. We organize and promote “Ourlando, Locally Made,” Orlando’s authentic, grassroots “Think Local First” campaign. Rather than promoting buying local, we emphasize our larger role as stewards of the community. By thinking local, we can make mindful choices that have a beneficial and sustainable impact on our local communities, economies & environments.
Although we would like to applaud the city’s effort to promote a local economy it is also necessary for us to make sure Orlando residents receive valid information about what is and how to support local, independent businesses.
According to www.buylocalorlando.net, “the Buy Local Orlando program is a group of independent businesses, community groups and citizens in the Orlando area, working together to support a healthy community economy through education and marketing.” In this text it states the word independent, which, in this example, means a privately held company; yet, the requirements for becoming a member are merely “a current City-issued business tax receipt number.” The language used in the City’s program contradicts its actions.
When reading the city’s press release it is hard not to notice the following statistics from Austin’s “local first” campaign that states that “according to an economic analysis, for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $45 goes back into the community and local tax base, and for every $100 spent at a non-local chain store, only $13 comes back to the local area.” Both this language and action has always been at the heart of PLACE. However, by stating this, the city is suggesting that it will bring about these results by allowing any business to be involved. The inclusion of any business into the City’s program such as chains and big box stores nullifies the City’s ability to use these figures to promote their program.
It is understandable that city governments have to balance carefully the interests of all businesses. This, in part, is why independent business alliances like ours have become popular across the nation as citizen-driven vehicles to uphold the value of truly local & independent businesses. Indeed, as the statistics cited in the press release, local, independent businesses do keep more money in the local economy substantially more than national chains. Local businesses rely on local banks, accountants, attorneys, creative services, marketing and local suppliers of food and manufactured goods. National chains, franchises and big box stores go outside the local community for these products and services, and make their decisions based on national and international priorities that often are not in the best interest of the local community.
In addition to removing money from of our economy, national chains, franchises and big box stores pale in comparison to the unique, quality products and services offered by our local, independent businesses. The genuine personal relationships that are fostered at these local, independent establishments develop into a vibrant, innovative, and engaged community.
We encourage the city to promote local, independent businesses. However, as stewards of the local movement and on behalf of truly local and independent efforts everywhere, we must insist your language match your practice. Otherwise, the intentions and work of truly local campaigns will be diluted, and our citizens will be misled, confused or simply disenfranchised by our local government.
As community-minded folks, we welcome an open discussion about the city’s program and offer our intimate, grassroots knowledge about the meaning of local and the value of independent in our changing economy. These are challenging times, and we all want to make a difference. It is important that we move into the future with authenticity, transparency and thoughtfulness in the greatest regard for the impact we have on our local and larger community.
Locally & independently yours,
The PLACE Board:
Emily Rankin, Executive Director & Founder of Audubon Park Community Market
Julie Norris, Co-Proprietor of Dandelion Communitea Cafe & host of Front Porch Radio
Lance Turner, Owner of Aeon Blu
Amber Melendy, Co-Owner of Shine On Yoga
Josh Adcock, Local Landscape Architect and Artist
Emily Ruff, Director of Florida School of Holistic Living, Homegrown Co-op, the Evolve Store & Orenda Herbal
Katie Reynolds, Owner of Etoile Boutique
Natasha McIntosh, Local Grower & Community Activist
I’m afraid the city’s campaign is divisive and counterintuitive. They would encourage me to go to Pizza Hut and get a movie at blockbuster RATHER than eat at the Ravenous Pig (who’s owner chef’s I’ve met at a local event) and go see local professional actors at the Winter Park Playhouse . . . because they are in Winter Park instead of Orlando.
The locally owned restaurant and local non-profit theatre are run by people who are part of my community (regardless of political municipal lines). The Blockbuster folks are NOT a part of my community (other than the lowly paid clerks). The former can make decisions based on what they think is best for the community. The later only make decisions based on what will return more money to stockholders . . . or PR to drive stock sales.
I’m dissappointed and sad that thinking people will look at this and just shake their head.