Birrell Urges All to 'Keep It in Cobb'

One of the first quotes visitors read on the Keep It in Cobb (KIIC) website is "For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain."

The Keep It in Cobb concept to support locally owned businesses, maintain the unique community character, provide continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs and build community economic strength was initiated by Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell during her election campaign in 2010.

"The committee was formed in January with our first meeting on Jan. 20. Our Facebook page was our initial launch; now the website is up and running. The Chamber Business Expo, May 19 at Galleria Center, is the main project we’re working on now to get awareness and recognition out to the community," the District 3 commissioner told Northeast Cobb Patch. 

Keep It in Cobb's three focus areas are:

• Informing people of the values provided by community-based businesses and their importance to the local economy, culture and social fabric.
• Group branding, promotion and advertising to elevate the collective profile of community-based businesses and bring them some of the advantages chains enjoy.
• Creating strong relationships with local government and the media to inform local decision-making and give a voice to the local business community.

"The Keep It in Cobb initiative is a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the 11 business associations in Cobb County to promote awareness of buying local and supporting Cobb businesses. It is a three-tier approach: business to business, business to consumer, and business to government," Birrell said.

Regarding what Northeast Cobb can expect from the countywide program, Birrell said the goal is to attract more businesses and jobs to the community and more revenue for businesses and the county tax base. It will be left up to individual business owners to decide what incentives or offers they promote, she said. 

A steering commit­tee is developing policies for the program:

• Birrell.
• Karen Traeger, chair and owner of Traeger Client Services.
• Stephen Collins, partner at HLB Gross Collins.
• Inger Eberhart, assistant to Birrell.
• Andy Eichenblatt, owner of Print Graphics.
• Michael Hughes, director of economic development for Cobb County.
• Amanda Jamison, coordinator of business development and research, Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
• Ron Skeean, owner of Casual Image.
• JoEllen Smith, PR and social media expert.
• Bill Sterrett, owner of i360 Group.
• Patrick Vickers, Cobb resident.

"The committee meets once a month. We typically meet in a coffee shop or restaurant location, and space is limited. However, anyone from the press or public is always welcome to attend," Birrell said.

Get Involved

Northeast Cobb residents can take part in the program by:

• Patronizing Cobb County businesses.
• Looking for the KIIC logo when you shop.
• Getting on the email list to learn about money-saving ideas and new businesses.
• Letting the group know how you keep it in Cobb.

Northeast Cobb business owners can take part in the program by:

• Placing the KIIC logo on your storefront and communications.
• Hiring Cobb County residents as the business grows.
• Doing business with other Cobb businesses.
• Getting on the KIIC email list to learn of business-to-business opportunities.
• Letting the group know how you keep it in Cobb.