LANSING - With the final days of holiday shopping ticking down, State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) is encouraging residents to support Michigan's economy by giving gifts made in Michigan and helping our communities by shopping in locally owned stores.
"Now more than ever, it's important that we all do what we can to support local jobs, local stores and our local economy," Brown said. "Spending our money closer to home is one of the most powerful steps we can take to get our communities back on track. By buying gifts at local stores or giving items made right here in Michigan, we're investing in ourselves and our neighbors."
Brown also suggested that shoppers visit www.BuyMichFirst.com, which features a list of Michigan businesses and links to their Web sites. Local businesses can register their information and make it easier for residents to buy Michigan-made products. There are many other resources online to learn about products made in Michigan, including www.buymichiganproducts.com and www.buymichigannow.com. Both sites have directories that make it easy to choose Michigan-made products and services.
"Our decisions about where to spend our hard-earned money can make a big difference, and I think we all are starting to appreciate that more," Brown said. "The holidays provide a great opportunity for us to show pride in our state by giving gifts made in Michigan. It's also a great time to commit to shopping more locally, which is part of supporting our neighbors and helping our community get through these tough times."