The Loyal 2 Local program sends a strong message that supporting local businesses matters and is critical to our area’s economy. We thank the community for considering local options first and utilizing local businesses whenever possible for both personal and business needs.

This year marks the kickoff of the program’s fifth year, which we will celebrate throughout the year. Not only will we have new signage recognizing the program’s anniversary milestone, but we are also presenting some events this summer.

First up, Loyal 2 Local is the Out to Lunch concert sponsor in downtown Iron Mountain on Thursday, July 7. We hope you will join us to enjoy music from the Luke Warm and the Not So Hots from 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at the Systems Control stage across from the Dickinson County Library. There will also be tasty food offerings from area vendors, Loyal 2 Local swag giveaways and, of course, prize drawings to win some great items from Erickson Jewelers, First National Bank & Trust, Danielson Insurance, CWRK Collective and more.

Loyal 2 Local and The Alliance will also co-host a Cybersecurity Training, presented by Guide Star, a division of CCI Systems, on Wednesday, July 27. The training will educate area business employees, from all types and sizes of businesses, on best practices and staying informed of the cyber risks that are presented in everyday business activities. All attendees will receive Certificates of Completion after finishing the session as a way to document proactive training, an increasing requirement from insurance carriers. Details and registration information for this free session will be announced on www.Loyal2Local.org and www.DAEDA.org.

And finally, the Loyal 2 Local Planning Committee has been hard at work creating a new website presence that is now live. The web address is the same, www.Loyal2Local.org, but offers several new features, including:

–Participant Directory — this robust directory allows consumers to locate area options by keyword and provides details such as businesses that offer gift cards or online shopping. 

— Events Calendar — You will also notice an events page that will not only share events hosted by Loyal 2 Local, but also by participants in the program.

— Membership Sign Up and Renewal — new and renewing Loyal 2 Local participants can now sign up, order materials, submit a business profile and pay for participation, all on the new website.

There are 120 participants in the Loyal 2 Local program, working together to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local businesses and all they contribute back to our community and our area’s economy. We hope you will choose to support all local businesses.

Remember, for every $100 spent with a local business, $68 stays in the community, where those dollars continue to circulating in our economy. When $100 is spent in another town or with a non-local online retailer, that $100 is gone forever. Always think local first!