About Keep St. Pete Local
The Independent Business Alliance, Keep Saint Petersburg Local, was launched on November 19, 2011 (known as America Unchained Day) by a group of local, independent business owners and concerned citizens who recognize and appreciate the unique character of the Saint Petersburg community.
Our Mission
Keep Saint Petersburg Local is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the American Independent Business Alliance (www.amiba.net), working to build a thriving local economy and a unique community. We do this by nurturing connections for and acting as the voice of locally-owned, independent businesses and by raising awareness of the importance of buying local.
Our Member Goals
Work cooperatively with government officials to support and promote the interests of St. Pete’s independent, locally-owned businesses
Build rapport with media and government officials to make future reporting and policies more responsive to the needs of independently-owned businesses
Provide opportunities for members to connect, collaborate, learn, and grow their businesses
Our Community Goals
Increase community awareness of the value of doing business with independent, locally- owned businesses
Build recognition of the KSPL brand to help the community identify independently-owned businesses in St. Pete
Support local non-profit organizations that provide service and goodwill to our community
Our Values for All
Success for the independent, local business community
Community involvement and collaboration for the KSPL organization and our members
Prosperity for the City of St. Petersburg and its citizens
Diversity in our membership, affiliations, and community
Why Local?
Because our community matters!
Here are a few more reasons:
1
Keep Money in St. Petersburg
Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made with locally-owned, independent businesses. This “multiplier” is due in part to locally-owned businesses purchasing more often from other local businesses and service providers; which helps grow other businesses, as well as strengthen St. Petersburg’s economy.
2
Keep St. Pete Awesome
Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of St. Petersburg’s unique character.
3
Create More Jobs
Small local businesses are collectively the largest employer nationally and, therefore, provide the most jobs to residents in communities.
4
Keep St. Pete Green
Buying local means less packaging, less transportation and a smaller carbon footprint.
5
Invest in Our Community
Locally-owned, independent businesses are the first to donate to causes that are close to our hearts and they do so at more than twice the rate of national chains. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, raise families here and make St. Petersburg a place where our children can stay to build their dreams. They’re invested in our community’s future.
6
Create More Choice
More independently-operated businesses mean more choice and diversity. Local business owners select products based on the needs of their local customers. You’ll usually get better service too, because they have a greater understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know their customers.
7
Encourage St. Petersburg’s Prosperity
Community-serving businesses are a training ground for future generations of entrepreneurs. Also, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and unique character.
8
Make St. Petersburg a Destination
The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we attract tourists, shoppers, and others who want to visit St. Petersburg. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” (Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust)
9
They are our family, friends and neighbors!
(Sources for Reasons: AMIBA and Oakland Grown)
