“Buy Local, Shop Smart” Meeting with Bergen County Freeholder David Ganz

On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 the Korean American Voters’ Council’s (KAVC) interns met with Bergen County  Freeholder David Ganz to introduce their “Buy Local, Shop Smart” campaign.

[From the top left (clock wise) Steven Kim, Lauren Chung, Albert Kim, Ji-Sung Kim, Jenny Song, JiSoo Park, Chejin Park, Esq.  David Ganz Freeholder, Byung Chang Cho Former President of The Korean American Asso. of Greater New York , and Nuri Han Assistant Program Director]

The “Buy Local, Shop Smart” campaign aims to educate consumers on the importance of supporting local business research done by KAVC interns and organizations throughout the United States. Multiple studies indicate that when a consumer shifts 10% of his or her economic spending from chain stores to local stores, the economic impact on the community is increased three times. 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.

The Korean American Voters’ Council conducted their own research, thus concluding that the number of stores closed in the Hackensack and Palisades Park area is about 16%. A study in Austin, Texas, 2002 found that if 100 dollars were spent on a large chain store, only 13 dollars were going to the local economy, while when 100 dollars were spent on a small local store, 45 dollars went to the local economy.

David Ganz acknowledged the interns’ efforts in trying to improve the local economy. Additionally, he stated that she was impressed with the presentation tand the fact that the interns went out on the streets to count the number of stores that were closed. Also KAVC interns received certificates of commendation from the Bergen County Freeholder  David Ganz. These certifications recognized the interns’ “hard work and outstanding achievement” for KAVC, and ultimately for the Korean American community as a whole. 

The KAVC hopes to gain support for the program and eventually begin advertising to educate consumers. The KAVC interns who met with the Freeholder were Steven Kim, Lauren Chung, Albert Kim, Ji-Sung Kim, Jenny Song, JiSoo Park, Ye Jun Hahn, Daniel Chun, and Peter Park.