‘Support Local Gems’ on Friday
Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation joins statewide effort to support small businesses
BOISE — The Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation recently joined U.S. Senator for Idaho Jim Risch and the Idaho Department of Commerce to announce the creation of “Support Local Gems,” which will serve as an all-day event to support Idaho small businesses whose operations have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
On Friday, Idahoans are invited to Support Local Gems by giving their business to their favorite local shops and restaurants. Idahoans can get involved by shopping at small businesses online, purchasing gift cards for future use or for loved ones, ordering take-out or delivery from local restaurants.
If you or your family are facing financial uncertainty in these difficult times, you can participate in Support Local Gems by writing a review online, posting on social media about a favorite local business, or simply saying thank you to the businesses you frequent most often in your daily life.
Today’s small businesses face unprecedented hardships as they work to remain viable through the COVID-19 outbreak. Support Local Gems is an opportunity for Idahoans to find ways to support small businesses through low- and no-contact means, to help promote local jobs in their communities.
Following the April 24 event, Visit Idaho will continue to promote awareness of the Support Local Gems program by sharing resources, as well as the stories of Idaho communities, citizens, and small businesses on visitidaho.org and across its social media channels.
Additional supporters of Support Local Gems include Gov. Brad Little, Sen. Mike Crapo, Congressman Mike Simpson, Congressman Russ Fulcher, Association of Idaho Cities, Idaho Association of Counties, Idaho Chamber Alliance, Idaho Retailers Association, Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry and the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.
“We at the Silver Valley Economic Development Corporation are committed to supporting our incredible small businesses,” said Colleen Rosson, SVEDC executive director. “We are honored to join the Support Local Gems initiative. Our small businesses in Shoshone County are an incredible asset for our economic health and preservation of our lifestyle and culture. We are encouraging everyone to join with the state of Idaho and support our small businesses. By continuing to support local, you help keep our treasured small businesses open and help foster a new way to do business that can open doors for increased success.”
Starting April 27, Idaho Commerce and Visit Idaho will extend the one-day Support Local Gems event into a 10-week initiative, serving to keep this vital awareness effort top of mind for Idahoans. Visit Idaho will share helpful resources and content on visitidaho.org and across its social media channels to encourage partners, citizens and communities around the state to support this initiative in their respective area. Additionally, Idaho Commerce and Visit Idaho will spotlight similar efforts already underway in several Idaho communities, helping to further rally support for small businesses of all sizes — from Main Street organizations to the Gem State’s more remote establishments.
“Idaho small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and the backbone of our state’s economy. The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has forced widespread closures of small businesses across the Gem State, threatening livelihoods, acute job losses and imperiling the future of Main Street establishments across the state,” Sen. Jim Risch said. “There are many ways to support these businesses, on Friday, April 24, I invite you to find a way to express your support for the small businesses that power our economy and make our communities thrive.”
If your organization or small business would like to get involved in the Support Local Gems initiative, email press@risch.senate.gov.