Portland Buy Local recently launched the 10% Shift Campaign, a New England-wide effort to educate consumers of the many economic benefits of shopping locally.

The campaign encourages “households, businesses, and organizations to shift 10% of their current spending from chain businesses to local independents.”

Research shows that if everyone in Greater Portland shifted just 10% of their spending from chains and other non-local businesses to local independent businesses, it would generate more than $50 million annually in new economic activity for our region and 600 new jobs.  Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is a proud member of  Portland Buy Local.

The Belknap Independent Business Alliance (BIBA), which promotes locally-owned, independent businesses in central New Hampshire, is also participating in the campaign, as is Seacoast Local in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

You can sign up for the 10% Pledge here.

If you live in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, be sure to tune in to your local public broadcasting television station tonight at 8 pm for the premiere of Making $ense: The Economy and Northern New England.

This is the first ever co-production between Maine Public Broadcasting, New Hampshire Public Television and Vermont Public Television.  The broadcast will feature four regional stories “that document resourceful, grassroots solutions to the looming economy.”

Specifically, they will feature stories about (from MPBN)

1. Mortgage Deferment

Maine’s Gorham Savings Bank has instituted a mortgage deferment program for its customers.  Under this new program, GSB customers finding themselves in financial hardship are afforded the opportunity to apply for a mortgage payment holiday.  To date, more than 100 customers have taken advantage of this program.

2. 10% Shift

The 10% Shift is a grassroots coalition of businesses, non-profit organizations, citizens, and goverment agencies.  Their goal is to encourage people through New England to shift 10% of their current annual spending from national chains to locally owned independet businesses ensuring a direct stimulus to the local and regional economies.

3. Time Banks

In communities throughout New England, time banks are becoming a popular way for individuals to barter for goods and services.  Vermont Public Television will visit with people making the most of time bank system, reaping great benefits while utilizing their own skills and labor.

4. Small Business

SCORE is a community-based, volunteer organization of active and retired small business ownders who counsel entrepreneurs and new small business ownders on strategies in starting and maintaining a successful business.

If you can’t watch it tonight, the program will be rebroadcast several times throughout the month of April.  Please check your local listings at MPBN, New Hampshire Public Television, and Vermont Public Television.

Goodwill is proud to be an underwriter for this exciting look at how northern New England is responding to the changing economic climate.