PEORIA, Ill. — The first-ever “Go Local” event Saturday in Junction City promoted local business and emphasized the importance of shopping small and supporting local.
The event hosted nine different speakers, including local councilmen and local business owners, among others.
The event was opened by Brittany Duffield, co-owner of MMC Brokerage.
Duffield has worked at Junction City for fifteen years and said she does everything she can to support area businesses. She urged the people of Peoria to do the same and explained why the “Go Local” campaign was developed.
“‘Go Local’ was created to encourage people to spend locally, to help build awareness and drive traffic to these locally owned establishments in hopes that we can help support and strengthen the ones fortunate enough to survive,” said Duffield.
The “Go Local” campaign website is free to businesses, and the campaign supply materials are provided to businesses at no cost, said Duffield. By signing up, local businesses can increase their exposure.
Duffield also added when someone is traveling, they can visit the website and find local businesses to support no matter where they are.
Shortly after Duffield opened the event, President and CEO of Discover Peoria J.D. Dalfonso explained how Discover Peoria assists in promoting local establishments.
“Our purpose and our mission at Discover Peoria is always to promote and advocate central Illinois and the entire Peoria area as the most desired destination in the country,” said Dalfonso.
Peoria Public Schools Foundation President Cindy Morris urged citizens to remember nonprofits when shopping local. She also mentioned beginning Monday, Feb. 8, there will be a food drive bus at Junction City to help combat food insecurity.
Chris Setti, CEO of Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, echoed the messages of previous speakers. He also highlighted the importance of local businesses.
“It’s what makes us unique as a region,” said Setti. “It helps differentiate us from someplace else.”
The event closed with speakers from two locally owned establishments.
Virginia Clark, owner of Relaxed N’ Refreshed, and Alicia Boyd, co-owner of Wing Work, both expressed the importance of shopping local and supporting area establishments.
“We have to support one another,” said Clark. “It’s not just about Black businesses, it’s about business.”
Boyd added, “One thing about starting the business back at home, I don’t think we thought at all about how the community would embrace us as a Black business.”
“The support has been so amazing,” said Boyd.
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