“Buy Local, Shop Smart” Meeting with Fort Lee Council President Pohan
by kace
Posted on August 5, 2011
On Wednesday, August 3, 2011, KAVC (Korean American Voters’ Council) interns met with Fort Lee Council President Armand Pohan to introduce their “Buy Local, Shop Smart” campaign.
[Presenting the project to Council President Armand Pohan] [From left to right: Jaewoo Jung (Paramus HS), Ji-Sung Kim (Bergen County Academies), Hyunjee Song (Northern Valley Regional HS at Old Tappan), and James Park (Bergen Catholic HS)]
The “Buy Local, Shop Smart” campaign aims to educate consumers on the importance of supporting local businesses using research done by KAVC interns and organizations throughout the United States. Multiple studies indicate that when a consumer shifts 10% of his economic spending from chain stores to local stores, the economic impact on the community is increased three times. In other words, $100 spent at a chain store translates into about $13 remaining in the local economy, while $100 at a local business translates into approximately $45 staying in the economy.
By educating the public about this coalition through this way, consumers will be able to learn that there are numerous benefits from shopping locally such as an increase in job opportunities and revenue recirculation inside the local economy.
Fort Lee Council President Armand Pohan recognized the interns’ efforts in trying to revitalize the local economy and stated his enthusiasm for the project. He agreed to support the initiative and cooperate with the campaign, stating that he would like to assist by talking to the Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, he discussed the idea of working with a bus program in Fort Lee.
Additionally, he also mentioned that about 25% of the residents in Fort Lee are Korean-American, but only about 10% are registered voters. As a result, he encourages more Korean-Americans to register as voters to ensure that their voice will be heard in the community.
The meeting at Fort Lee was the first of several meetings with politicians arranged by KAVC interns in New Jersey for this summer.
