CARSON CITY - USDA Rural Development Nevada has announced funding to support a "Buy Local Rural Northern Nevada' website that will give consumers a way to seek out and support local businesses and jobs.
USDA approved the $25,200 in Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) to Western Nevada Development Authority (WNDD) to develop the website and business directory. Buy Nevada First is the company that was contracted to complete the new website and database.
"It's one thing to say buy local, the next question is, who is local?" said Dave Asher, director of Buy Nevada First, and the Reno Sparks Local Business Cooperative.
"We encourage all the local business owners in the area to go to the website and post information about their business in our directory,"Asher said. "Then consumers can go out and check the directory for locally owned businesses and support the local economy with local purchases," Asher said. "Whether you own a bike shop or a brewery or a hair salon, we want you to post your information so that consumers can support you." The website is available at www.buylocalruralNV.com.
Rural Northern Nevada businesses can list themselves at no charge, and connect with others in the business community as well. The website will increase online visibility for northern Nevada businesses, and provide a portal to help rural businesses to build their initial webpages.
The project area for the Buy Local Rural Northern Nevada region includes Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey Counties and rural Washoe County. All rural businesses located in these counties are encouraged to contact Dave Asher at (775) 224-2242 to learn about how to be listed in the "Buy Local Rural Northern Nevada" online directory. Or learn more online at www.buylocalruralNV.com
The "Buy Local Rural Northern Nevada" project is a result of the WNDD region's Stronger Economy Together (SET) program conducted with many partners, including USDA Rural Development. One of the identified goals is Communications/Networking with the goal to "improve communication between government, business, and the general community on what is needed to implement sustainable growth". An identified strategy is to investigate the possibility of a "buy Nevada" website. Implementation of this project will provide a website for governments, institutions and the public to learn who is providing goods and services that could be purchased within the region. Buying locally will expand the region's economy and support local jobs.
USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that the funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of USDA programs for rural America. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy. He said that's just one reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.
President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.
USDA's investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).[[In-content Ad]]
