Feb 6, 2010

Valley cities wage friendly fight for shoppersBy Edythe JensenAZCentral.com

Southeast Valley cities are in a cordial but high-stakes battle for residents’ spending money.

Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe have started or intensified their “shop local” campaigns in recent months, some offering cloth bags, stickers, magnets, e-mailed sale notices and shopping search engines. The inspiration to step up the promotions comes from a more than two-year downward slide of municipal sales tax revenues – money that municipalities need to pay for services.

While city officials dig out from grim budget forecasts and local businesses struggle to stay profitable, the competition is bringing residents a windfall of discounts, coupons, special events and free trinkets. A “Shop Chandler” link on the city’s Web site reads like a call to arms as it urges residents, “Tell a friend or neighbor: Every person can do their part by keeping the importance of shopping locally in mind every time you make a purchase.”

Gilbert touts, “Put your money where your house is.” For Chamber of Commerce President Kathy Tilque that conveys a simple message, “If you really are interested in keeping taxes lower, you can spend your money here . . . you can help your community and it’s simple.”

Those running the cities’ campaigns say it’s too early to gauge results, and sales-tax revenues continue to drop. However, Chandler spokeswoman Jane Poston said she has overheard residents talking in public places about the importance of shopping within city limits “and they didn’t know I was involved with the campaign. . . . Our goal is education, and that’s happening.”

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