'Buy Here. Thrive Here.' Takes 'Buy Here. Live Here.' to the Next Level

It has been ten years since the Blair County Chamber introduced its “Buy Here. Live Here.” initiative to encourage more businesses to take a hard look at their purchasing practices.

A survey, created by a couple business professors from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 2008, helped chambers in five counties to determine how many business dollars were leaving the Southern Alleghenies region for destinations outside that region. The results were mind-boggling.

In the case of Blair County, that number was $2.9 million-a-day. And that didn’t include consumer spending. The Chamber was more than a little concerned. You can only imagine, as you consider the county’s economic challenges of today, how important it is that we continue to emphasize the incredible advantages of buying local.

Over the past ten years, Buy Here. Live Here. has made inroads into the ongoing challenges associated with changing a mindset. People were more willing to share how they had moved away from strict internet purchasing and at least took the time to consider local options. That was a giant step.

As COVID-19 arrived on the scene, the BHLH effort underwent a name change – becoming Buy Here. Thrive Here. The impetus was the same but the message has been even more emphatic. Our quality life is so incredibly influenced by the businesses located here that without their support of our arts, our culture and our recreational pursuits, we would have many voids to fill.

The next time you attend a little league game, notice the names of the businesses on the backs of the uniforms. Support those businesses as often as you can. Because in so many ways, they’re supporting you.