Mayor Keller Declares December 'Buy Local Month' Ahead of Small Business Saturday

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mayor Tim Keller has declared December ‘Buy Local Month’ in Albuquerque. Mayor Keller’s nationally recognized Buy Local initiative kicked off in 2018. It is a two-fold effort that encourages the community to make conscious decisions to support locally-owned businesses and calls on City departments to award City contracts to local vendors.

In its first year, the program successfully brought almost $8 million in contracts back home to local Albuquerque businesses from out of state. 

The Mayor’s declaration comes just ahead of Small Business Saturday and the launch of full public ART service, which will be free through January 1, 2020, giving residents an opportunity to use the service to shop local for their holiday gift buying.

“Albuquerque is home to over 42,000 small businesses. By making a conscious effort to support small businesses and local restaurants across the Duke City this December we will continue to strengthen Albuquerque’s economy,” said Mayor Keller. “The launch of ART service will help us make sure Route 66 is open for business this holiday season. We’re encouraging folks to take ART to the many unique shopping districts along the route and to #BuyLocal this year and beyond.”

Burqueños are urged to support locally-owned businesses by dining at local establishments, shopping local, and getting services (repair, beauty etc.) at local shops. Local businesses across Albuquerque are encouraged to prominently display a #BuyLocal window sticker to help customers identify local businesses. Businesses interested in requesting a #BuyLocal sticker should visit the City’s Buy Local webpage.

Residents can find opportunities to shop locally, such as holiday markets, fairs, pop-ups and other events on the City’s webpage.