A tale of receipts

Sales receipts are symbols of economic activity. They represent a simple contract between buyer and seller. A customer makes a purchase, receives their product or service along with a sales receipt as a record of the transaction. The more sales receipts a business issues, the more business it conducts and the more successful it becomes.

Sales receipts are also the symbol of the Buy Mower, Grow Mower campaign. The trail of receipts created through business activity, here, help to build our community. They help create jobs. They expand our tax base without additional
taxation. They provide funds for charitable giving.

These receipts help grow our community.

The $134 million problem

For years now, we have not seen as much retail activity in our community as we could have . . . no, should have. Austin and all of Mower County have been losing retail sales to other communities. Lots of sales.

Collectively, the University of Minnesota estimates Mower County businesses have been losing more than $134 million taxable sales alone, each year! Include non-taxable items, and the loss is even greater. The impact on our businesses and our communities is huge. The U of M estimates it is comparable to losing more than 16,000 residents, county-wide.

The 10% solution

The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce launched Buy Mower, Grow Mower to raise public awareness, revitalize our area economy and create a better future for our entire community.

We’re not asking everyone to spend all their dollars in town. Or to increase their spending. We’re just asking everyone to shift 10% of their current out-of-area spending back to businesses within Mower County. Of course, we hope that percentage will grow. But even if we can shift 10 percent of the dollars spent out-of-town, back to Austin and Mower County, we will have made a $20 million impact on our economy.*

How do I join
the campaign?

Take the Pledge.
Make a commitment to shift 10%
of your own purchases back to Mower County by signing a pledge online. You’ll help your community grow, and can win great prizes, too!

Spread the Word.
Let people know you’re committed to your community, and encourage others to take the pledge, too. Send your friends an email, pick up a bumper sticker or a button. You can win great prizes, too!

Business Support.
Mower County businesses are encouraged to include the campaign in their marketing efforts, Download the logo, posters and brochures to promote in your place of business. Also, check out Sponsorship and Prize Opportunities.