Businesses embrace Keep It QC with their B2B spending
From the goods and services they purchase to the recipients of their charitable giving, Quad Cities businesses are making a conscientious effort to keep their dollars local in order to Keep It QC.
Nearly six months after the Quad Cities Chamber launched the initiative to bring awareness to the power of doing business locally, businesses across the region are finding new and creative ways to support one another.
Business services provider Total Solutions Keeps It QC by working with local banks for its financial needs and buying its office supplies and equipment locally as well as its printing and shredding services. It also patronizes locally owned shops to purchase employee gifts.
“We choose to do business locally because we want to foster relationships with other businesses in our region and see them and their teams succeed," said Melissa Pepper, President & Chief Strategy Officer.
By partnering with other local businesses, Total Solutions also has enhanced its client offerings to provide additional IT support, marketing support, human resources training and more. In another effort to Keep It QC, they also invest their charitable giving and sponsorship dollars into Quad Cities causes and nonprofits.
"It’s part of our mission to help business owners get ‘back to business,’ so it just makes sense that we would choose local businesses wherever we can," Pepper added.
Shive-Hattery Inc., an architecture and engineering firm, uses a wide variety of Quad Cities companies throughout its operations. From cleaning services to office equipment, company logo apparel and employee lunches, Shive-Hattery strives to Keep It QC.
“We try to keep as much local as possible,” said Shive-Hattery project manager Damon Seys.
Owner Joy Flaherty of Flaherty’s Irish Candy Co. enlisted a team of local companies when her family’s sweet creations evolved into their own startup company. As the Flahertys rolled out their Irish treats to the marketplace, they found fellow small businesses to assist in the launch. This included helping build their website and printing their new sales materials.
“We are a small company, but we certainly strive to buy local whenever possible,” she said.
Why Should You Keep It QC?
When companies support other local companies with their B2B spending, it has a ripple effect in advancing our region’s economy. It serves to increase our region’s gross regional product (GRP), build a more robust tax base to support local services and amenities. It also supports the creation of more jobs and spending power all the while helping Quad Cities businesses rebound from the financial challenges of COVID-19 faster.
“Spending locally does not require more spending but rather a change in where businesses – and consumers – spend their money,” said Chamber President and CEO Paul Rumler. “Ultimately, Keep It QC helps create strong businesses, which in turn, make for a more vibrant, healthy and powerful Quad Cities.”
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