By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
There are still plenty of shopping days left until Christmas, and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce reminds everyone to think local first. While business starts to return to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, workforce shortages and inflation have made it difficult for some local companies to remain in the black.
Chamber CEO Megan Barfield said shopping local helps build
up the entire economy.
"This is our local tax dollars and it affects our local tax base when we're able to support those business owners," said Barfield. "Maybe pay a little bit more than you would from your big box stores."
While Barfield understands there are certain items that citizens have to go out
of town or online to get, the majority of your Christmas shopping can be
checked off in town if you try.
"I've heard some people say, 'You can't get that in town,'" said Barfield. "Okay, but have you actually looked? Have you actually went into the shops? You really can do your entire Christmas shopping right here locally if you try."
Barfield said if citizens are considering gift cards this year, look into a
Great Bend Chamber gift certificate. There are approximately 150 participating
businesses where the Chamber certificates can be spent locally.
A “Shop Local and Win” campaign was also launched by the Chamber to incentivize
shopping local. Providing proof of your local purchase could win you part of
nearly $1,000 in prizes from the Chamber.
RELATED STORY: Great Bend Chamber brings back Shop Local & Win campaign