Buy Local RI

Register Your Business on the Buy Local RI Website

Log on to the Buy Local RI website and register your independent, Rhode Island-based small business at no cost to you: www.buylocalri.org. It's easy to register and connect your business to other businesses and consumers throughout the state.

A Small Business Advocacy Council initiative to support local businesses in tough economic times

Lt. Gov. Roberts, Chair of the Small Business Advocacy Council, is proud to announce Buy Local RI, a statewide initiative to grow sales and consumer base for locally owned businesses during challenging economic times. Roberts and members of the Small Business Advocacy Council will join with members of local Chambers of Commerce, local business owners and state and local elected officials to help create a statewide network and website dedicated to expanding the market for local businesses and products by connecting people to Rhode Island businesses.

If you are interested in participating, e-mail: buylocalri [at] ltgov.state.ri.us

Buy Local RI "Main Street" events

Lt. Gov. Roberts builds on existing "shop locally" initiatives by visiting "Main Street" shopping districts across the state to highlight the opportunities and benefits of choosing to Buy Local RI. The public is invited, and encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Holiday "Main Street" Event Schedule:

• Friday, November 20, 2009 BRISTOL, "Bristol's Night to Shine"
• Saturday, December 5, 2009 WICKFORD "Festival of Lights"
• Saturday, December 5, 2009 PROVIDENCE, Hope Street, "Hope Street Winter Stroll"
• Wednesday, December 9, 2009 CHEPACHET, Brown & Hopkins Store 200th Anniversary
• Friday, December 11, 2009 WAKEFIELD, "Holiday Luminaria"
• Saturday, December 12, 2009 CRANSTON, Pawtuxet Village "Holiday Stroll"
• Saturday, December 19, 2009 PROVIDENCE, "Shop Downcity Window Decorating Competition"

FARMERS' MARKET WEEK 2009

• Wednesday, August 19, NEWPORT
• Thursday, August 20, PROVIDENCE
• Thursday, August 20, WESTERLY
• Friday, August 21, WARWICK
• Friday, August 21, BRISTOL
• Saturday, August 22, SCITUATE
• Saturday, August 22, PROVIDENCE
• Sunday, August 23, NARRAGANSETT
• Monday, August 24, EAST GREENWICH
• Tuesday, August 25, WAKEFIELD

Past Buy Local RI "Main Street" Events:

• November 19, 2008 WESTERLY
• December 2, 2008 GREENVILLE
• December 4, 2008 PAWTUCKET, Wintertime Market
• December 4, 2008 PROVIDENCE, Downtown
• December 5, 2008 WICKFORD
• December 15, 2008 PROVIDENCE, Broad Street
• December 17, 2008 WARREN
• December 22, 2008 NEWPORT
• January 30, 2009 NARRAGANSETT
• February 12, 2009 BRISTOL
• February 25, 2009 WAKEFIELD
• April 1, 2009 CENTRAL FALLS
• July 8, 2009 WOONSOCKET

 

Building a Statewide Network and Launching a Buy Local RI Website

On Wednesday, January 7, 2009, Lt. Gov. Roberts hosted a meeting to launch the next phase of Buy Local RI. The meeting was attended by local business owners who began discussions of a statewide network and the development of a Buy Local RI website.

The following presentation was shown at the meeting.

If you are interested in joining this group, e-mail: buylocalri [at] ltgov.state.ri.us

Shop Locally

You can help small businesses and the economy in Rhode Island by shopping locally. Just think first about making your purchases at a locally-owned, independent business. A small shift in your spending habits can have a large impact on Rhode Island's economy. A 10% shift towards local businesses has the power to grow economic output 20%, generate millions in economic activity and create hundreds of jobs.