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The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce has launched a Buy Local campaign to help support local businesses. Businesses that participate in the program will display a sticker on their doors to encourage residents to spend money within their communities.

According to Berkeley Chamber of Commerce CEO Elaine Morgan, the economic benefit of shopping at locally owned stores includes not only income for the stores, but also jobs and local tax revenues for the county.

Kevin Housand, owner of Central True Value Hardware in Moncks Corner, says the benefits to consumers who buy from locally owned businesses include competitive prices, personal customer service and extensive product knowledge.

The chamber will be distributing the Buy Local stickers to member businesses in Berkeley County. Any Berkeley County business wishing to post a sticker at their business can call 843-761-8238.

“It’s an economic stimulus of sorts,” Morgan says. “Numerous studies have been conducted, and through these studies we can conclude that every dollar spent at a locally owned business generates two to three times economic benefit.”