Meet Think Local Transylvania!

Date: October 20, 2020

Contacts: Clark Lovelace, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, 828-883-3707, [email protected]

Nicole Bentley, Heart of Brevard, 828-884-3278, [email protected]

Transylvania County, NC – Heart of Brevard and the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce a new joint initiative and brand called Think Local Transylvania. The goals of this program are to support small local businesses and nonprofits, foster county-wide togetherness, celebrate our unique place and grow a thriving and resilient economy for everyone. The combined strengths and collaboration of both organizations will create a strong foundation of support for businesses, nonprofits, and the Transylvania County community, especially at a time where local support is needed more than ever.

 

“Our organization recognized the importance of an initiative to promote and support small, local businesses in the district,” states Heart of Brevard Executive Director Nicole Bentley, “Launching the initiative was a priority of the Heart of the Brevard in 2020 and its development was quickly accelerated by the outbreak of COVID-19. Collaborating with the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce was a logical and critical step to unifying businesses county-wide.”

 

The Think Local Transylvania program is currently inviting all small businesses located within Transylvania County with less than 200 employees to be a part of this initiative. Businesses that are independent and locally owned and operated, as well as nonprofits headquartered in the county with a local board of directors, will receive a special designation for the additional roles they play in our local economy. 

 

Program participants will receive access to a toolkit with marketing and promotional materials and will be eligible to participate in future program initiatives. Two information sessions will be provided to help participants become familiar with Think Local Transylvania and learn how to get the most out of the program.

 

Information Sessions

Tuesday, October 27th – 4:00 – 4:30pm

Thursday, October 29th at 9:00 – 9:30am

 

To learn more about the initiative, to register for an information session, or to sign up to participate in the initiative, please visit www.thinktransylvania.com.

 

Why does supporting small local businesses matter?  It’s better for the environment.  More money stays within your community.  It’s likely where your friends and neighbors are employed.  Local businesses support locals.  

 

“There could not be a better time to launch a “Buy Local, Support Local” campaign than right now,” Dee Dee Perkins, owner of D.D. Bullwinkel’s & MooseTracks, Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop, and Rocky’s Corner Market shares.  “2020 has presented independent businesses with tough challenges to keep their doors open.  Our small locally owned businesses keep our community unique, preserve our distinctive character and values local culture.  Keeping our dollars in Brevard’s local economy results in more jobs, increased wages and supports our local schools and nonprofits.  Locally owned businesses circulate three times more money back into the local economy than chain stores, and all of the money that people spend on Amazon leaves our community. For Brevard and Transylvania to thrive, we need our local independent business to survive.”

 

The data shows that buying and supporting local businesses matters.  “According to a study done by the American Independent Business Alliance, every $68 for every $100 stays within the community when spent at a local business, but only $43 stays when the business isn’t local,” says Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Clark Lovelace, “Also, small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local community causes.  There are a substantial number of statistics out there, and they all point to locals spending at local businesses creating a thriving local economy.”

 

Keep your eyes open for banners and pole flags located throughout Brevard to see the new Think Local Transylvania logo, which will soon be available in sticker form for businesses and residents alike to display with pride for our local community. Think Local Transylvania ambassadors, including the Cedar Mountain Café, D.D. Bullwinkel’s, Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop, Rocky’s Corner Market, Headwaters Outfitters, Forks of the River Taproom, Wolfbrew Bottle Shop, Magpie Meat & Three, Red Feather Business Alliance, The Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio and Social Burro, will also be sharing the new Think Local Transylvania logo and special messages at their locations and on their social media pages. Please take a few minutes to visit their businesses for a sneak preview of the new program logo and marketing materials.

 

“We are eager to participate in the Think Local Transylvania program,” says Keavy McAbee, owner of Wolfbrew Bottle Shop and Magpie Meat & Three. “Not only will this program promote independent local businesses, it is an opportunity to cultivate community by unifying our County through its mission and brand. We are fortunate to call this incredible place home and this initiative captures just that.” 

 

The organizations behind this initiative promise that this is just a beginning.  “We have a lot of plans in the works to support our local businesses year-round,” said Bentley, “In the meantime, be sure to Think Local Transylvania!”

 

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Heart of Brevard 501(c)(3) is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Heart of Brevard is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.  For more information, visit www.brevardnc.org.

 

The Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization designed to enhance, advance, and promote the well-being of the local business community.  It is a 501(c)(6) non-profit with over 450 members.  Membership is open to any person, business, non-profit, or other organization interested in the promotion and welfare of the local business community and the quality of life for Brevard and Transylvania County residents.  The Chamber operates the Visitor Center at 175 E. Main St. in Brevard, which also serves as its headquarters.  For more information, stop by or visit www.brevardncchamber.org.