“Buy Local, Shop Smart” Meeting with Senator Tony Avella

 On Friday, August 05, 2011 the Korean American Voters
Council’s (KAVC) interns met with New York State Senator Tony Avella to
introduce their “Buy Local Shop Smart” campaign. 

[Gabriel Yoon (left) and Michael Choi (right) presenting
their project to Tony Avella]

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. Furthermore, other studies show that $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.

New
York Senator Tony Avella responded positively to the efforts of the interns in
trying to revitalize the local economy and stated his enthusiasm for the
project. After the presentation, Avella showed his enthusiasm for the project by
giving feedback and suggesting several different other projects that would
further their cause. He said that “If you want make local people to use local
businesses, the store signs should be written in not only one language, but
English.” Also Senator Tony Avella will support the campaign by Facebook and
Twitter, and he will give full support.

The people that presented on August 5, 2011 to Tony
Avella are Ye Jun Hahn (Bayside HS), Stella Kim (Cardozo HS), Sarah Kim
(Hauppauge HS), Gabriel Yoon (Queens HS for Science), Cindy Park (Jericho HS),
Sangbo Nam (Hunter College HS), Michael Choi (Roslyn HS) and Nuri Han Assistant
Program Director.

[Assistant Program Director Nuri Han (left) and Stella
Kim (right) having a conversation with Tony Avella]