Amarillo’s Chamber of Commerce boasts a membership of 1700, 95 percent of which are smaller businesses. “In Amarillo, we have great people and our city is pro-business,” says Gary Molberg, president and C.E.O. of the Chamber. Currently, sales tax dollars pay about 33 percent of the city’s expenses. By spending money locally and paying sales tax, the city has money to operate.

The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “Why wouldn’t you shop local when you can? Why wouldn’t you support your friends and neighbors when you can?” says Gary. “I don’t care where you shop, just shop in Amarillo. We’re all in this together. Support the large, support the small, support them all. Just make sure their presence is in Amarillo, Texas.”

The American Quarter Horse Association has been firmly rooted in Amarillo since 1946. “We may be one of the best kept secrets in Amarillo in terms of the “wow factor” when you come into this facility, says Don Treadway, executive vice-president. “We’re proud to be in Amarillo from the standpoint that the American Quarter Horse is the horse of the west. I consider Amarillo to be a western city and we compliment that.

AQHA knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “This felt like a unique opportunity for AQHA to show its support for the community,” says Don. “In the bigger picture, it’s a great way for the community to rally around shopping local. Its something we all need to do to support our own people and our businesses.”

Auto Inc. has been in business in Amarillo since 1975. The operation of four new car dealerships has a big impact on the local economy. “We are very fortunate to be in Amarillo,” says Eddie Bradley, president. “We haven’t been hit as hard as other places in the nation have.”

Auto Inc. knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “We think it’s important to shop locally because we rely on this community,” Eddie says. “I think that shopping locally can’t do anything but good for Amarillo, just to remind people that it’s important where they can and when they can to shop locally so their dollars stay in this community. It will benefit every one of us.”

Business is all in the family at Big State Remodeling. Brothers Randy and Tim Reid grew up in Amarillo and have been in business together for 16 years. Once a garage business, Big State has grown to a top-of-the-line showroom and a leading home improvement provider in Amarillo. “I feel that we’re a big part of this community and we plan to stay,” says Tim. “Randy and I grew up here. We’ve seen the growth and opportunity here and our belief in this city has never stopped.”

Big State Remodeling knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “We think it’s very important to contribute to the local economy so local business can survive,” says Tim.

Blackburn Shaw Funeral Directors has been a part of Amarillo since 1919. “Longevity is something that our business has been able to sustain. It wouldn’t have been possible without generations of Amarillo families depending on us and over the years,” says Robert Falcon, managing partner at Blackburn Shaw.

Blackburn Shaw knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “We felt it was very important to make a statement by saying we’re behind the Shop Smart Shop Local program 100 percent as a business,” says Robert. “When we shop at local businesses, all of those dollars that are spent in this community will trickle down through jobs that are created by everyone spending money locally rather than going and purchasing products and services on the internet.”

The Brown family began its automobile dealership in 1964, originally on 6th Street. Over the years, they’ve been able to expand their business and continue the family tradition of ownership. “We’re a second generation business and now the third generation is coming in, says Brian Brown of Brown Automotive Group.

Brown knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “I think Shop Smart Shop Local will benefit all of us, everybody that is in business and everybody that does business in Amarillo or the Panhandle” says Brian. “When we keep the dollars local, they turn over and have a multiplying effect. If we generate the revenue here, let’s keep as much of those revenues at work in Amarillo as we can.”

Duncan & Boyd Jewelers has been a vital part of downtown Amarillo for 43 years. As a locally owned business, they believe that the quality and availability of their merchandise sets them apart from the competition. Duncan & Boyd knows that it’s important to support the community through giving and volunteerism. “We contribute quite a bit to the economy, not only through our gift-giving and our participation with non-profits and fundraisers, but also with what our employees do in the community,” says Ron Boyd. “Our employees are very volunteer-oriented.”

Duncan & Boyd Jewelers knows the value of shopping smart and locally to keep money circulating in the area. “It’s real important for people to know that those sales tax dollars that we get go to help economic development,” says Ron.

The Harrington Cancer Center opened its doors in 1981. “We provide a level of care that people would otherwise have to leave the city for,” says Dr. Paul Hancock, C.E.O. of Harrington. “But there’s no need for that because they can receive state-of-the-art cancer care right here in Amarillo.

Harrington Cancer Center knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “People should be supporting local business to not only create jobs locally, but also keep dollars in the community,” says Dr. Hancock. “Major support for not-for-profits like Harrington comes from local business and local business owners. When our dollars leave the community, we lose out. It’s very important to support the people who support our community.

Steve McGavock was raised in Amarillo, so when the opportunity arose to come back home, he jumped at it. “This is home,” Steve says. “We love the Panhandle and the people. Amarillo has a good business climate as well.”

McGavock Nissan knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “I think shopping here is a win-win. The more sales tax we collect, the more it benefits the city,” Steve says. “The more we spend locally instead of going elsewhere comes back. That dollar just comes back around to the people who live here.”

Originally a shop that catered to railroaders and cowboys, Raffkind’s has been in Amarillo since 1910. The family business has evolved over the years and offers a unique variety of men’s and women’s apparel. The Raffkind’s family believes that it’s important to stay involved in the community and give back. “If Amarillo does well, Raffkind’s will continue to do well,” says George Raffkind.

Raffkind’s knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “If people shop out of town or online, we lose the sales tax so that money won’t circulate back into our city,” says George. “I think it costs the consumer in the long run to buy out of town.”

The Street Toyota Scion dealership has had a long history of local ownership. “I’ve been here for 28 years,” says Joe Street, president and owner of Street Toyota Scion. “I’ve seen Amarillo grow and the last 10 years have seen tremendous growth. I don’t know of any business environment anywhere that’s better than Amarillo.”

Street Toyota Scion knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “Consumers these days have lots of choices and we realize that with the internet, sometimes it seems easier to shop online,” says Joe. “I think Shop Smart Shop Local will provide top-of-mind awareness to get people thinking about the contributions that businesses make to the community and how important it is to support that.”

Toot ‘n Totum opened its doors in Amarillo more than 60 years ago. Today, the family-run business employs more than 700 people. “Our people work every day to make this happen,” says Greg Mitchell, president of Toot ‘n Totum stores. “There’s not a business in town that doesn’t have a Toot ‘n Totum employee doing business with them.”

Toot ‘n Totum knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “I would encourage everyone to shop local. Those dollars turn over so many times in the local economy,” says Greg. “We are out here kind of on an island by ourselves and we need everybody pulling in the same direction. Why send your dollars to Dallas, New York or Houston? That doesn’t do us any good. We’ve got to keep the money here.”

Wal-Mart first opened its doors Amarillo in May, 1984. Today, the stores employ 1800 people. With that many employees, the economic impact is large. “Our associates spend the money that they earn buying vehicles and goods or services, says David Craig. “It’s a big circle of events that happens just because our stores are here. It really helps the community of Amarillo.”

Wal-Mart knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “I see this Shop Smart Shop Local campaign as another great opportunity for Amarillo to come together as a team,” says David. “I realize and my management realizes that it has to be a team of businesses and organizations that work together. We can’t do this by ourselves.”

Xcel Energy has been providing low-cost energy to the Panhandle for a little over 85 years. With over 900 full-time employees, Xcel also represents a lot of buying power. “We feel at Xcel that we’re not just a company doing business in the community; we are a part of the community,” says Riley Hill, president and C.E.O. of Southwestern Public Service, a division of Xcel Energy. “We take that very seriously.”

Xcel Energy knows that it’s important to Shop Smart Shop Local so we can keep money circulating locally. “If you’re tempted to go elsewhere to shop, it might sound good. But if we’re sending our dollars out to other communities, those are the communities that will grow,” says Riley. “We don’t want that. We want Amarillo to grow. If you spend a dollar here, it will come back to you in one way or another.”