Hardeman supports local businesses in Ingersoll

INGERSOLL —Today Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford, along with Ingersoll Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair Tammy Jeffery, visited local businesses to promote the importance of shopping local and supporting our local economy.

“Local businesses are a large part of what makes our communities such great places to live,” Hardeman said. “They support local causes and provide us with the goods, services, and jobs we need close to home, so it’s important that we support them as well.”

Hardeman launched a Shop Local, Buy Local initiative to encourage residents to support local businesses in response to recent plant closures and layoff announcements in the riding. The initiative builds on existing buy local campaigns by bringing greater awareness to the importance of supporting local businesses.

Recently, the Town of Ingersoll passed a resolution supporting the initiative and urging the provincial government to support small businesses and make it easier for businesses to operate in Ontario.

“No where is it more important than in a small community to buy local,” said Ingersoll Mayor Ted Comiskey. “Local farms, merchants, and businesses do special things to make shopping locally rewarding. We must be patrons locally, an active store is an active community and a vibrant place to live.”

In addition to the Shop Local campaign, Hardeman has been raising concerns about the impact of government policies on Ontario businesses, a sentiment the Ingersoll Chamber of Commerce echoes. “With Bill 148 getting closer, it is more important now than ever to Shop Local and Buy Local. Our Chamber fully supports MPP Ernie Hardeman’s initiative and we welcome him to come and meet with the business community to show his support and discuss any challenges they may be facing”.

“If we don’t work with our small businesses and listen to the challenges they are facing, it is hard to develop policies to help them,” said Hardeman. “It is great to see the work our local businesses are doing and hear about their concerns so I can push the government to help businesses stay and grow in Ontario.”

For more information on shopping and buying local, visit www.ErnieHardemanMPP.com/shop-local-buy-local.

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For more information, contact:

Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford

(519) 537-5222