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GRAND RAPIDS — Findings of the 2011 Independent Business Survey were released by the New Rules Project of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), confirming for the fourth straight year the positive economic impact of ‘Buy Local’ campaigns throughout the United States.

The survey, based on questionnaires completed by 2,768 locally owned businesses representing all 50 states, determined that local businesses in communities with a “Buy Local” initiative reported average revenue growth of 5.6% in 2010, compared to just 2.1% average revenue growth for those in communities without “Buy Local” initiatives. Similarly, local businesses in communities with “Buy Local” initiatives reported an average holiday sales increase of 5.2%, while those not supported by “Buy Local” initiatives reported an average gain of just 0.8%.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance estimates that such “Buy Local” campaigns — such as West Michigan’s own Local First — are underway in approximately 140 cities nationwide.

This is Local First’s fourth year participating in the annual survey organized by Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and New Rules Project. More than 30 West Michigan business owners submitted responses.

“For the fourth consecutive year, the ILSR’s Independent Business Survey confirms that locally owned and independent businesses perform significantly better when supported by strong ‘Buy Local’ campaigns,” said Elissa Hillary, executive director of Local First in Grand Rapids. “The proven success of businesses working with ‘Buy Local’ campaigns fully underscores the importance of continuing to educate the public on the economic benefits of supporting local businesses.”

The 2011 Independent Business Survey is released at a time when many in Michigan are questioning the effectiveness of present economic development strategies. In his inaugural State of the State address, Gov. Rick Snyder issued a strong endorsement of “economic gardening” — an economic development strategy in which entrepreneurship and support for local businesses are emphasized over recruitment.

“Small, local businesses generate the majority of new jobs in the U.S.,” said Michelle Long, Executive Director of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), of which Local First is the Midwest Regional Hub Network. “Buy Local First campaigns help bring these businesses and residents together to build community health and wealth — from the bottom up.”

For complete findings of the 2011 Independent Business Survey, visit www.newrules.org/retail/news/survey-finds-buy-local-message-benefitting-independent-businesses. For more information on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and the New Rules Project, visit www.ilsr.org.

Local First is a nonprofit organization supporting local business ownership in West Michigan. Representing nearly 600 local business members, Local First is the largest “Buy Local” organization in the Midwest and the third largest per capita in the U.S.

For more information on Local First and its efforts to promote a local living economy in West Michigan, visit www.localfirst.com. mss

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• 2011 independent business survey
• buy local
• elissa hillary
• grand rapids
• ilsr
• institute for local self-reliance
• local first
• michelle long
• small business
• usiness alliance for local living economies