A year ago Dexter First was formed to educate and get people excited to shop local.
"If you shop at a locally-owned business you are helping a local family survive," says Kim Williams, local business owner and member of Dexter First.
By buying local the money is kept in the community, supporting the local business owners' families, their employees' families and the sales tax is a big part of what operates the city.
Williams also stated the locally owned businesses currently in Dexter First are contacting other locally-owned businesses about possible membership. There is no membership fee to join.
"We are supporting all locally-owned businesses, whether they are a member of the chamber or not," said Williams.
When asked about the importance of shopping local, Donna West, longtime business manager in Dexter said "it is very important, no doubt about it. We live in an age of chain stores and if people would go to the local stores they would find they have a lot to offer."
Williams noted the significance of loosing just one store and how it affects everyone in the area. Williams said people don't come for just one store they come to shop all of Dexter. They dine and purchase gas in our community. If just one local business is lost the interest in the area drops. Locally owned businesses are the backbone of communities and together build the local economy.
Dexter First is participating in Small Business Saturday, taking place this Saturday, Nov. 24. Shoppers can go by locally owned businesses and pick up special bags to be brought back on Saturday. Some participating businesses offer special deals when the bags are brought back in.
American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010 on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop small and support small businesses. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day. Officials in all 50 states participated.
The Dexter Tourism Committee will give away $1,500 in Dexter First Dollars over the next five weeks. Starting Black Friday (Nov. 23) a drawing will be held for a $250 winner. A winner will be drawn every Friday until Dec. 21.
Williams explained that taking a selfie is all that is required to enter. Go to a locally owned participating business and take a selfie in the store. A selfie buying a product, a selfie with the owner or just one showing you were there. Go to Dexterfirst.com and upload the selfie. The uploaded images will be screened for any inappropriate content and eventually moved over to the Dexter First Facebook page. There is no limit on how many times you may enter.
The Dexter First Dollars will have a list of all the participating businesses where they may be spent.
Williams also stated that possible upcoming promotions for Valentine's Day and summertime are in the planning stage.
Dexter First's purpose is to educate people and encourage them to support their hometown.