Charleston Area Alliance Urges
Support of Local Businesses
The Charleston Area Alliance today announced a campaign to support the local economy during the national and worldwide economic downturn.
“As the holiday season begins, the Charleston Area Alliance is encouraging its members, all regional businesses and citizens to make their best efforts to purchase products, goods and services locally,” said Matt Ballard, president and CEO of the Alliance.
“With national economic indicators trending downward, supporting your neighborhood business can make the difference,” he added.
Supporting local businesses already is policy for the Alliance. It lists local businesses on its Web site – www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org – and purchases goods and services from its members. In addition, the Alliance urges its members to buy locally.
During today’s Economic Outlook Conference at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, Ballard noted that the national downturn has not affected West Virginia’s economy as severely as the rest of the U.S.
West Virginia’s strong natural resources sector continues to drive the state’s economy, he said. Other industries, however, face challenges, Ballard added.
“When we visit with businesses each month, on retention and expansion visits, one of the most important assistance tools we can provide is our knowledge of the businesses of West Virginia,” Ballard said. “So often, businesses are purchasing products from out of state, even though they could purchase products of similar quality and cost made in West Virginia by West Virginia companies.”
The national economy eventually will rebound, said Alliance Chairman Jack Rossi. With support during the downturn, however, West Virginia’s economy could gain momentum when the national economy starts improving.
“More than any other state, West Virginia can make the most out of this bad situation,” Rossi said. “But it will take commitment from its citizens and businesses. These are hard times for everyone, but West Virginians have an opportunity to come out even stronger as the economy recovers.”
The Alliance encourages any business seeking to locate a West Virginia supplier or specific product to contact it at (304) 340-4253 or visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.
“The Charleston Area Alliance will make its best efforts to connect you with a local or regional supplier,” Ballard said.
“As the holiday season begins, the Charleston Area Alliance is encouraging its members, all regional businesses and citizens to make their best efforts to purchase products, goods and services locally,” said Matt Ballard, president and CEO of the Alliance.
“With national economic indicators trending downward, supporting your neighborhood business can make the difference,” he added.
Supporting local businesses already is policy for the Alliance. It lists local businesses on its Web site – www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org – and purchases goods and services from its members. In addition, the Alliance urges its members to buy locally.
During today’s Economic Outlook Conference at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, Ballard noted that the national downturn has not affected West Virginia’s economy as severely as the rest of the U.S.
West Virginia’s strong natural resources sector continues to drive the state’s economy, he said. Other industries, however, face challenges, Ballard added.
“When we visit with businesses each month, on retention and expansion visits, one of the most important assistance tools we can provide is our knowledge of the businesses of West Virginia,” Ballard said. “So often, businesses are purchasing products from out of state, even though they could purchase products of similar quality and cost made in West Virginia by West Virginia companies.”
The national economy eventually will rebound, said Alliance Chairman Jack Rossi. With support during the downturn, however, West Virginia’s economy could gain momentum when the national economy starts improving.
“More than any other state, West Virginia can make the most out of this bad situation,” Rossi said. “But it will take commitment from its citizens and businesses. These are hard times for everyone, but West Virginians have an opportunity to come out even stronger as the economy recovers.”
The Alliance encourages any business seeking to locate a West Virginia supplier or specific product to contact it at (304) 340-4253 or visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.
“The Charleston Area Alliance will make its best efforts to connect you with a local or regional supplier,” Ballard said.
posted by Charleston West Virginia Economic Development
@ 9:21 AM
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