FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: City of Tallahassee To: evans-lynn@xxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 1:27 PM Subject: City of Tallahassee News Release - Local Business Saturday Launches Website Local Business Saturday Launches Website Economic Development Initiative Encourages Consumers to Shop Local; Local Businesses Offer Special Deals on Feb. 12th - In an effort to rejuvenate our local economy and in preparation for the next Local Business Saturday on Feb. 12, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, in collaboration with local business leaders, announced today the launch of the Local Business Saturday website, www.LocalBusinessSaturday.com. "The Local Business Saturday website can strengthen our local economy by increasing public awareness of the value of shopping locally," said Mayor Marks. "Shoppers can visit the site to find the latest deals offered by our local business community, but even more importantly, shopping at these businesses can create jobs in Tallahassee and is an investment in our schools and overall quality of life." Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a local business, an average of $68 remains in the local economy. And for every year over the past decade, 60% to 80% of all new jobs were created by small businesses. A locally owned website design company, Netphiles Inc., developed the website and will maintain it for one year, without any cost to the City of Tallahassee or to local businesses. "We are very proud to do our part for Tallahassee's business community by providing in-kind website services to Local Business Saturday," said Mahwash Mahmood, President of Netphiles Inc. "The new website is a showcase for local businesses and a place where Tallahassee residents can find some great deals." Local Business Saturday is a collaborative effort by Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and the City of Tallahassee, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Tallahassee-Leon Economic Development Council, Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Locally Owned Tallahassee, Market District Tallahassee, and local businesses. This initiative, which has designated every second Saturday of the month in 2011 as a Local Business Saturday, includes a targeted marketing campaign encouraging consumers to shop at locally-owned and locally-operated businesses for cost-saving deals. The next Local Business Saturday is February 12th. "Local Business Saturday is a great innovation that will stimulate the local economy and motivate citizens to do most, if not all, of their shopping right here in Tallahassee", said Pam Ridley, owner of Sentry Self Service Storage, a local business. For more information and a list of local businesses participating in the Local Business Saturday, please visit www.LocalBusinessSaturday.com. If you own a local business and would like to participate, please contact Max Stout in the Mayor's office at 891-2000 or Max.Stout@xxxxxxxxxxx Contact: Rick Minor, Mayor's Office, (850) 891-8002 Click here to update your information and email preferences Powered by: ImarcsGroup.com