Greater Bakersfield Chamber, City of Bakersfield & MCSC Kern Women's Business Center become Neighborhood Champions® in partnership with AMEX
Bakersfield, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2024) – The Greater Bakersfield Chamber announced its new affiliation as an American Express Neighborhood Champion® for Small Business Saturday. The initiative, which encourages residents to shop small during the holiday season and beyond, emphasizes the critical economic and social benefits of supporting local businesses. As the Chamber evolves to meet the needs of its business members, the new partnership will replace its successful “Shop Local, Shop Now” initiative, launched in 2021 to support Chamber member-owned brick-and-mortar businesses during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference held at Belcourt Village shopping center, local leaders, business owners and community partners gathered to highlight the campaign’s goals and the importance of small businesses to Bakersfield’s economy. With support from the City of Bakersfield and MCSC Kern Women’s Business Center, the Chamber is amplifying its efforts to advocate for small businesses as Neighborhood Champions® and the upcoming Chamber Perk initiative, set to launch in 2025.
Key Data on Shopping Local:
- Shop Small, Impact Big: For every $1 spent locally, $0.68 remains in the community, supporting jobs, local initiatives, and economic growth.
- Support Your Neighbors: Small businesses donate 250% more to local charities than large corporations.
- Every Purchase Matters: Shopping locally fuels job creation, economic growth, and a sense of community.
Community Voices:
- Janelle Capra, President & CEO, Greater Bakersfield Chamber: “We are excited to transition from our Shop Local, Shop Now campaign to the national AMEX Neighborhood Champion campaign. This transition will highlight the lasting impact of small businesses on our community and leverage the national campaign locally. Every dollar spent locally contributes to job creation, fosters growth and strengthens the fabric of our neighborhoods.”
- Karen Goh, Mayor of Bakersfield:“Shopping locally is essential to the growth and prosperity of our city. Small businesses are the backbone of Bakersfield. By supporting them, we’re supporting job creation, a robust local economy and our community’s unique character.”
- Jeff Eittreim, Vice President, Bolthouse Properties: “When we shop small, we invest directly in the vitality of our local economy. At Belcourt Village, we’re fostering a space where local businesses can thrive and our community can come together.”
- Norma Dunn, Program Director, MCSC Kern Women’s Business Center: “At the Kern Women’s Business Center, we empower women entrepreneurs by providing the training, mentorship and resources they need to succeed. Shopping small supports the future of our community’s entrepreneurs, particularly women.”
The Chamber Perk:
While the SLSN campaign concludes in 2024, its momentum will continue with the launch of The Chamber Perk in 2025. This year-round initiative will spotlight local businesses, share their unique stories and foster lasting connections between small business owners and the Bakersfield community.
Get Involved:
Residents can support the campaign by:
- Shopping small for holiday gifts and everyday needs.
- Sharing experiences on social media using #ShopSmallBakersfield, #ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat.
- Participating in local events, pop-up markets and Small Business Saturday activities.
For more information, visit bakochamber.com or follow the Chamber on social media (@bakochamber). Business owners interested in participating in The Chamber Perk can contact the Chamber at info@bakochamber.com.
Here’s how The Greater Bakersfield Chamber is doing its part as an AMEX Neighborhood Champion®!
Neighborhood Champions support the small business owners in their community by sharing free resources and more. We partner with American Express to look for organizations like the City of Bakersfield and the MCSC Kern Women’s Business Center, interested in helping bring small businesses and shoppers together on Small Business Saturday® and all year long.
Media Contact: Joel Paramo, Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Greater Bakersfield Chamber, jparamo@bakochamber.com, Call/Text: (818) 350-9847
About the Greater Bakersfield Chamber: The Greater Bakersfield Chamber is the region’s leading business membership, networking, and advocacy organization, representing the interests of more than 1,100 members and more than 70,000 local jobs. Since 1920, the Chamber has focused on creating a thriving local economy and improving the quality of life for every resident of Greater Bakersfield. The Chamber promotes economic vitality, facilitates networking and business development opportunities and advocates for public policies that support quality jobs and inclusive growth, guiding Bakersfield toward a better and brighter future. To learn more about the Chamber, visit www.bakochamber.com.