City "Buy Local" Website Supports Madison-area Businesses

Madison - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz today encouraged local businesses to take advantage of the City of Madison's "buy local" website. The website was created as part of the city's buy local policy, as a tool to connect city government purchasers with locally owned businesses. The mayor highlighted the website in conjunction with the annual Dane Buy Local holiday shopping kickoff. "Buy Local policies are a great way to support local businesses and the local economy," said Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. "Individuals can do their part, but government needs to do its part as well. The city's buy local website is an easy way for local businesses to sign up and make the city aware of what they have to offer." To qualify as a local vendor under the City policy, businesses must maintain a physical address within the local area. In addition, they must meet at least two of the three additional criteria: at least 50% of their employees must work at facilities in the local area; at least 50% of their ownership vested in residents of the local area; and at least 15% local sourcing (e.g., supplies and raw materials). Vendors can enroll in the City's buy local program at: http://www.cityofmadison.com/business/localPurchasing/signup.cfm "Whether you're an individual consumer or a local government, buying local is good business for the local economy," said Mayor Cieslewicz. "Dollars invested in local businesses circulate and re-circulate throughout the community benefiting our local economy many times over." Madison's buy local policy was developed over the course of the past two years and included as part of the Mayor's economic development initiative in 2006. A number of parties assisted in development of the policy, including Dane Buy Local, Progressive Dane, and a joint subcommittee of the Board of Estimates and the Economic Development Commission. Alders Larry Palm, Mark Clear and Satya Rhodes-Conway and former Alds. Austin King and Judy Olson helped craft the final legislation.

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