SCOTT CITY BUSINESS STUDENTS PROMOTE `BUY LOCAL' CAMPAIGN

SCOTT CITY -- Students at Scott City High School will again urge residents to patronize local merchants, at least for one week in February.

Last year, the Future Business Leaders of America club sponsored the first Buy Local campaign. The club received national honors and local businesses saw an increase in sales.

"Because it was such a success last year, we have decided to hold it again this year," said Pat Andrews, sponsor of the FBLA club. "We had a lot of businesses comment to us that they would like us to do it again."

This year's campaign will run Feb. 8-12, which coincides with national FBLA week.

The club will again work with the Scott City Chamber of Commerce. The Buy Local campaign's goal is simple keep tax dollars at home, Andrews said.

"In a community like ours, it's real important that people stay at home and buy locally so tax dollars will stay here," she said.

"We know people will go to Cape and other areas to shop," she said. "But during that one week, we want people to be more conscious of staying local and buying here whenever possible."

"Our businesses do so much for our school," Andrews said. "They give scholarships and donate lot of things. This is one way to give back a little bit to those businesses."

But it's a good educational process for students too.

"So many of the tax dollars go to the school and to them," Andrews said. "It's important that they understand that relationship."

Scott City businesses participate by buying advertisements in a booklet, which students will distribute to households. The ads include discounts and coupons good during the Buy Local week.

Students will also make posters and banners to help advertise the event.

Andrews said the booklet is not a fund-raising tool for the FBLA chapter. Proceeds from sales are used for printing costs and other promotional items for the Buy Local week.

For more information, call Andrews, Martha Nothdruft or Donna Lutes at 264-2138.