The August 28 meeting of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce was all about promoting local businesses. A panel that included various department leaders within the city and school district, a community service organization, and local media representatives reminded the audience of the benefits of shopping local.

Police chief Rick Smith, public works director Kevin Nielsen, Marysville schools superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland, and Jerry Gadek of the Salvation Army each outlined the ways in which localized consumer spending benefits the community.

From sales tax revenues to employment figures and charitable donations, the message was clear: a thriving local business community is critical to the health of any city.

"We're preaching to the choir here today," said North County Outlook publisher Beckye Randall. "We're a local business too, and together we need to educate our neighbors about keeping our dollars as local as possible."

Sean Flaherty, classified advertising manager for The Herald, and DeAnna Emborski, publisher of the Marysville Globe and Arlington Times, also spoke about buying local to those attending the chamber's monthly meeting.

To help remind the public to think local first, the publishers of North County Outlook, The Herald, and the Marysville Globe/Arlington Times have joined forces with the chamber to develop an educational marketing campaign that will rotate throughout the local newspapers and the chamber's newsletter, and be broadcast on the city's TV21 cable channel. The six-month campaign will include an informative message along with affordable advertising space for local businesses. For as little as $25 per month, local businesses can gain exposure to a large reading and viewing audience.

To participate in the Buy Local campaign, contact advertising manager Sue Stevenson at (360) 659-1100.