(Livonia, Mich December 2, 2008) Buy Michigan Now released its 2008 Holiday Gift Guide. The group encourages people to buy gifts locally in order to help the state’s economy. The Holiday Gift Guide is available at www.BuyMichiganNow.com. 

About the Gift Guide

The guide features products from companies around the state. There are ideas for music lovers, sports fans, foodies, children, and more.  It is divided into 19 different categories. There is a special section so readers can distinguish local stores from national chains.

“We make specific gift suggestions, but also hope that calling attention to these great companies will help people find other Michigan-made ideas on their own,” says campaign founder, Lisa Diggs.

Grocery Guide

The Holiday Gift Guide comes on the heels of the site’s recently released Michigan Grocery Guide, which focuses on foods and beverages produced in Michigan. As a result of using both tools, people can keep more of their dollars inside the state during this critical shopping season.

Buy Michigan Now strongly encourages shoppers to Think Michigan First throughout the holidays. “There are varying degrees of how we can help, but we can always help”, said Diggs. “To me, the best case scenario is buying a product made of local ingredients, by a Michigan company, which is purchased from an independent shop. That’s ideal, but not always possible. If something isn’t made here, or sold by a local store, at least buy it in person. That way we can help keep our neighbors stay employed.”

Both guides are in addition to the site’s most popular feature, an online directory of Michigan-based businesses. Businesses can visit the website to create a directory listing. One Basic listing is available for FREE to every Michigan-based business.  Companies may opt for a Standard, Enhanced, or Premiere listing package, all of which are helpful if they want to have a bigger impact. Packages range from $100-300 per year.

How Businesses Qualify

All businesses must meet one of the following three Michigan Identification Criteria (MICs) in order to be listed:

  • Operates entirely in Michigan
  • Headquartered in Michigan with additional operations outside the state
  • Michigan-owned franchise or affiliate – some fees or revenue paid outside the state.

Other Buy Michigan Now Features

  • Mich to Mich Opportunities, where businesses can look for a local company to meet their needs.
  • Mich to Mich Connections, which celebrates the new local partnerships.
  • Fundraising Opportunities, which helps businesses introduce available fundraising programs to community groups.
  • Nonprofit Needs, where nonprofits list equipment and service needs
  • Celebrity Shout Outs, which are interviews with famous folks with Michigan roots.

The Campaign

Buy Michigan Now is a grassroots effort that was initiated in November of 2007 to help educate people of all ages about the benefits of buying locally and to stimulate positive thinking and actions in support of Michigan.

The Pledge

The website includes a Pledge to support Michigan-based organizations. Visitors can read the Pledge, and if they agree, add their names.

Contact Info

Contact: Lisa Diggs, 248-390-0974, Lisa@BuyMichiganNow.com

Author: bmnadmin