Think Local First! Nantucket
Steering Committee
Craig Beni, Chair
Tracy Bakalar
Trish Bridier
Graham Burton
Rusty Campbell
Suzanne Daub
Stephanie Hall
Donna Hamel
Kathryn Kiernan
Diane O'Neill
Al Novissimo
Mary Novissimo
Mary Wawro
Michelle Whelan
About Us
In June 2008, Sustainable Nantucket and the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with a group of committed business owners and managers, formed a Steering Committee to find ways to encourage Nantucketers to support our local businesses and help our economy. Based on the "Buy Local, Hire Local" campaign initiated by Sustainable Nantucket in 2006, "Think Local First! Nantucket" was born.
What is Think Local First!
Think Local First! is primarily an education campaign designed to encourage residents and visitors to "think local first" when purchasing goods and services. We believe that increased public awareness of the importance of buying and hiring locally strengthens our economy and helps us maintain the unique character of our Nantucket community. In numerous studies, retailers in towns and cities with “Buy Local" campaigns reported an increase in sales.
We believe that we all stand to gain from a concentrated effort to "think local first." Because when our island businesses do well:
- Our island culture stays vibrant – populated with strong, unique businesses that help to keep our economy flourishing, indirectly benefiting many other services and businesses.
- Our community and nonprofit sector benefit from the steady and committed, financial, in-kind, and volunteer support of local businesses.
- Our businesses can then provide employment for our residents and purchase goods and services from other members of the community.
We do not expect that our residents and visitors can make all of their purchases on-island, but we do hope that everyone will make a conscious effort to think of our local merchants and service people first before turning to the Internet or looking off-island.
Please support your friends and neighbors. Support our economy. Support our community.
