A swing toward buying local is ready to grow, says three of the leading boosters.

Started in response to the local unemployment crisis, the “Buy Local First” movement was introduced in Wilmington in late 2008 with signs and window decals.

Clinton County Regional Planning Commission Director Chris Schock wants residents to think of it as another way to try to save and perhaps even grow the local economy. What’s more, it’s an effort regular folks can be part of.

Such drives do make a difference, say Schock and Energize Clinton County (ECC) co-directors Mark Rembert and Taylor Stuckert. Encouraging residents to consciously support local businesses with their dollars works.

“This is a sound economic development initiative,” Schock said.

“This is one of many efforts going on. No business is really expanding now, and we know the multiplier effect if we keep local dollars local. Those dollars have a bigger impact on the local community and economy, through taxes and business vitality,” Schock added.

The tax revenue generated includes sales tax dollars and income taxes paid by local employees who remain gainfully employed in part because of an increase in local spending.

“We can help ourselves,” reiterated Schock.

In the important area of attitude, a conscious effort to buy local helps empower people as they realize they do have some control in dealing with bad economic times, said Rembert.

“It’s important, especially right now, to view shopping local as a community service,” he said.

To his fellow Clinton Countians, Rembert advises they not feel like they have to buy 100 percent local tomorrow. The key, rather, is to become more aware of one’s economic choices, he said.

Studies have been conducted to see whether buying local is effective, Stuckert said.

“The (studies’) results are very consistent. The impact is just astounding,” said Stuckert.

Rembert chimed in, “There’s a lot of evidence buying local is very significant. This is not just some romantic idea.”

In the next week or two, “Buy Local First” will roll out free local loyalty key chains which persons can show to receive local loyalty specials at participating local businesses.

Presently, the participating businesses are Books ‘N’ More, CL Photography, Coupon Boot Camp, Culturally Connected, Donatos, General Denver Hotel, Janet’s Hallmark, Main Street Yoga Center, Patterry, The R.A.G. Shop, Sandy’s All About Kids, Shake Those Pounds and Swindler & Sons Florists Inc.

Energize Clinton County designs and maintains a Web site for Clinton County’s “Buy Local First” drive: www.buylocalcc.com. Among other things, the site has the latest specials for key chain holders.

Rembert and Stuckert are building a “Buy Local First” business directory on the Web site. Local business owners or managers who are interested in having their business included in the directory are asked to provide information about the business online.

Rembert and Stuckert practice what they preach. Their ECC business cards bear a message, “Printed locally at Waring Office Supplies.”