The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is launching its second annual Buy319 business-to-business focused campaign.
The campaign is designed to challenge companies using outside vendors for internal supplies and services to switch to a local 319 area code company, according to a news release.
The second annual Buy319 campaign officially launched March 19, focusing on the significance of the date, 3-1-9.
New for this year’s campaign, the Economic Alliance’s membership directory is now set up like a search engine, so specific products and services are easier to find. Whether businesses are searching for printing, insurance, travel, automotive care, legal advice, or more, the directory will pull up all Economic Alliance members who can provide those services locally.
The Buy319 initiative was initially derived from a group of Economic Alliance members involved with the Economic Alliance’s Business Support Innovation Council in early 2022. The innovation council is dedicated to economic growth and business success, particularly of small and locally owned businesses.
“Focusing on the business-to-business relationship is one area where the council saw a window of opportunity,” said Sammy Petersen, Business Support Innovation Council chair and co-owner of Bloomsbury Farms. “Last year the campaign saw tremendous success, so it only made sense to bring the campaign back for another year. Bringing awareness to the fantastic local companies and Economic Alliance members we have in this area is the main driver behind this campaign.”
Beginning March 19, businesses are encouraged to visit buy319.com and sign a pledge to commit to switching to a local 319 vendor. Once the pledge is submitted, the businesses name will appear on the website, showcasing their commitment to the campaign and support for local businesses. Next, users are encouraged to click the membership directory and search for the product or services for their business or personal needs.
“Supporting local is important now more than ever,” said Doug Neumann, executive director at the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “While we promote ‘buy local’ all year long, we want to remind the community of all the amazing businesses in this area that can provide wonderful products or services such as office supplies, data processing, trucking, printing services, promotional items, business consulting, and more. We encourage businesses to give 319 companies the opportunity for their business as each dollar spent locally returns an average of 3X more to our community than buying elsewhere.”
Buy319 promotions will run through the spring. The campaign is supporting by presenting sponsor GreenState Credit Union and media sponsors The Gazette and KCRG.
