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3/50 Project

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USA World
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Innovation Blurb: 
Using Social Networking to Create a National Consumer Community in Support of Independent Business

The 3-50 project brings together consumers who seek to support their local business communities by calling upon those consumers to frequent three local brick and mortar businesses they don’t want to see disappear, and to spend $50 per month doing it.  Started in March 2009, the 3-50 project has already accumulated lengthy lists of both participating businesses and supporters throughout the nation, and connects communities of supporters and the businesses themselves through Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  According to founder Cinda Baxter, for every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the local community, much more than purchases in chains or online.  The project also provides free trademarked flyers, logos, and graphics for independent retailers to use to promote their businesses

Their Description: 

About The 3/50 Project:
Created to build loyalty and increased revenue for independent, locally owned businesses, The 3/50 project relies on a simple message: “Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.”

• Pick three locally owned businesses youʼd hate to see disappear, then return to them.
• Spend $50 per month in locally owned businesses. If half the employed U.S. population did so,
it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
• For every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the local community. When
spent in a big box, chain, or franchise, $43 remains. Purchases made online return nothing.
Supporters have access to free materials that publicize the message, including a downloadable
flyer that can be printed on any color printer, then handed to customers while thanking them for
their patronage. Additional items include a window banner, a countertop sign, member badges
for websites, graphics for newsletters and blogs, a movie screen panel for theaters, and window
clings bearing The 3/50 Project logo, donated by The Chicago Market—one of the movementʼs
most proactive fans.

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noted via website

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