SIX NATIONS – A few years ago, a Shop Local-Shop Native promotional campaign drew attention to local Six Nations and New Credit entrepreneurs and business people. It’s time to do it again as many businesses come and go.
Rachel Martin at Two Rivers Community Development Centre says that it’s about time for a new campaign directing local shoppers to consider shopping local when they can to help support local entrepreneurs and the local economy.
According to Martin, this coming Business Directory, the 20th anniversary of the local business listings, will likely include around 300 entries in many categories. This is about the same number as has been the case for many years, according to Martin.
“It is troubling that we really have not grown much,” says Martin who recognizes the need for economic growth at Six Nations, and we hopes to encourage more new local business and uplift those who have been in business for some years as well.
“We usually lose about 50 businesses a year but gain about the same number of new businesses,” she says. “So the actual number hasn’t changed in quite a few years.”
She also explains that there is likely another 100 locally owned businesses not listed in the directory. Due to Ontario regulations, any business with the word “tobacco” in it cannot be included. Others prefer not to be included for whatever other reason they may have.
Two Rivers is seeking funding for the new Shop Local-Shop Native campaign but is busy gathering information for inclusion in the 2016 edition of the Six Nations Business Directory, which will be released April 1.
“We contact all of last year’s businesses to see if the information we have listed hasn’t changed or if the business still exists,” says Martin. Any new businesses that wish to be included, toll free, should call Rachel Martin at Two Rivers at 519-445-4567.
