Take part in the ShopMIDowntown Holiday Challenge

You may not have witnessed it, but on Nov. 8, Michigan Main Street and MSHDA issued residents of the Mitten State a holiday challenge.

Show your love for Michigan by purchasing 75% of your holiday gifts in small downtowns this year (places like Oakland County's Rochester, Holly, Ferndale, Lake Orion ... and the list goes on). Go online and share your favorite downtown Michigan holiday shopping experience this year to become eligible for a random drawing that offers five weekend getaway packages at Michigan hotels.
 
The coalition includes the Michigan Main Street Center @ Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the Michigan Downtown Association (MDA), the Michigan Municipal League (MML), the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), The National Trust’s Main Street Center, Main Street Oakland County, Local First and Buy Michigan Now!

Buying gifts from local retailers may seem like a small request, but it makes a big difference in Michigan's economy. A 2008 Grand Rapids study found that $73 of every $100 spent at a local retailer stayed in state, compared to only $43 out of every $100 spent at a business that's not locally owned. What's more, the same study points out that consumers could add 1600 jobs and $120 million to the economy by spending 10% more at independent retailers. Talk about bang for your bucks!

So, in the name of giving this holiday season, let's do our best to give back to the independent retailers and small downtown shopping districts that make Oakland County so special and unique.
 
"When you buy from the small businesses in Michigan’s downtowns and Michigan Main Street districts, it creates jobs and keeps our friends and neighbors in business," said SBAM President and CEO Rob Fowler. "That’s why we are honored to be a part of making this challenge happen."

Read more about the ShopMIDowntown Holiday Challenge here, or log on to their Facebook page and post your favorite downtown Michigan shopping experience for a chance to win!