Supporting area businesses
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its “Shop Local Cibola” initiative in December. Matt Munson, Parkhurst pharmacist and Chamber member, wanted to come up with an idea that encourages local shopping and promotes small businesses.
“It is important for individuals in our community to support local businesses,” stressed Chamber Executive Director Brenda Curtright.
One thing the Chamber has done to push the Shop Local issue is a community drawing in which area business owners donate a monthly prize, and then community members enter the drawing by going to the Shop Local Cibola Facebook page, post a picture promoting a local business, and include a shoutout to that business and the hashtag #shoplocalcibola.
Winners are announced at the end of each month. Prizes from the last few months have included a laptop, indoor grill, and portable Bluetooth speaker.
Shop Local signs were made and distributed among registered businesses across Cibola County to continue spreading the message. According to Curtright, the Chamber is also making it a point to visit at least two local businesses per day to share information and invite them to participate.
“We are working hard to attract new members and give our members a feeling of ownership in the Chamber of Commerce,” said the chamber director.
The Chamber encourages individuals and families to continue supporting local businesses by doing things such as ordering takeout from area restaurants, visiting businesses they have not been to before, and staying updated on Shop Local events by checking the Shop Local Cibola Facebook page. Community members can also contact the Chamber of Commerce for additional information including how they can participate.
“Supporting our local businesses is a community effort and we all need to participate in this,” affirmed Curtright. “We will grow stronger when we work together to make sure our community grows, and small businesses survive.”