Partnership Created to Encourage Community to Think Jennings First The Jennings County Chamber of Commerce, North Vernon City Council, Jennings County Council, Jennings County Tourism and Mayors John Hall and Dan Wright are working together to support local business by encouraging the community to think about local opportunities before leaving home to spend precious dollars. In August, these partners will launch the Think Jennings First initiative which will encourage the community to intentionally support local business and will assist retailers and professionals in the effort to better meet the needs of the local market. When commenting on the partnership, Susan Anderson, President of the Chamber, said, “Together, we will encourage local spending. We are not naïve, we understand that the local consumer has an interest and need for products that we may not currently have available locally; however we feel it is important to encourage local spending whenever possible. At the same time we understand that we must walk more closely with local businesses to ensure that they have the tools that they need to be successful. We cannot expect to recruit professional and retail business to our community if we cannot retain our current businesses. All partners involved in the Think Jennings First initiative are well aware of the issues in our downtown and throughout our community. While there is not a quick fix method, the City and County representatives along with the Chamber and Tourism are ideal partners to work toward solutions for our community. Additionally, the local consumer plays a major part in the effort to build a better business community by spending locally whenever possible. In my mind, the local consumer may well be the most important partner in this whole effort. The influx of dollars to local shops, restaurants and service businesses directly influences our ability to attract new business.” County Councilman and long time businessman, Howard Malcomb relates, “Local businesses are often called on to contribute dollars to community efforts such as little league, fair queen, back to school initiatives and numerous other activities. Local business people want to support the community and in fact, feel responsible to do their part. They (local business owners) understand that it takes all of us to make a community strong. In turn local businesses need the support of their community. We are in this thing together as we work to build a community, one that will attract new business and new families.” North Vernon Mayor, John Hall and Vernon Mayor, Dan Wright look forward to helping communicate the big ideas of the Think Jennings First initiative. John Hall encourages the community to take part in Downtown Friday Night “Neighbor Fest” that will kick off this important effort. Mayor Hall urges the community to come out on Friday, August 3rd for some local shopping, dinner and to enjoy the fun and entertainment in downtown North Vernon. “I look forward to seeing the community come out to support the Think Jennings First effort”, states Hall. The Chamber of Commerce and Jennings County Tourism will co-host several mini-events over the next twelve months in various places throughout the county.