NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Mary Ellen Merrigan
505-280-9772
E-mail:
me@myconnectingpoint.com
Albuquerque, NM -- The Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) announced today that City Councilor Isaac Benton will present a proclamation Monday night at the Albuquerque City Council Meeting proclaiming July 1-7, 2006 as "Keep it Querque" Independents Week.
In addition, for the second year, Mayor Martin Chavez and Governor Bill Richardson also signed proclamations declaring July 1-7, 2006 as Independents Week city wide and statewide. Independents Week is a week-long effort to highlight the value and contribution of locally owned, independent business to the community and local economy. "Keep it Querque" underscores AIBA's interest in maintaining a unique, vibrant Albuquerque.
The Independents Challenge kicks off Independents Week when City Councilors compete to see who spends the greatest percentage of their shopping dollars in locally owned businesses. The winner will receive a Xeriscape Garden, courtesy of four local businesses Just Sprinklers, Plants of the Southwest, Simeona Gardenaire and Arid Solutions.
"My dream is to have the whole City involved in this event," says Roby Wallace, president of the Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance. "Independent businesses are the key to economic success in New Mexico and throughout the country. This is a great time to salute them."
Councilors participating in the 2006 Independents Challenge include Isaac Benton, Martin Heinrich, Debbie O'Malley and Ken Sanchez. Each Councilor will record their local business visits and will keep their shopping receipts from all businesses so that their percentage of local buys can be tabulated.
The winning Councilor will be announced and awarded the prize at an AIBA networking event 5:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, July 12th, at Plants of the Southwest, 6680-4th St. NW.
Local businesses and individuals who want to join AIBA can log onto www.keepitquerque.org. A complete listing of Independents Week activities can be found at that address.
AIBA is dedicated to preserving and improving Albuquerque's unique character by supporting local, independent businesses, and aims to educate consumers about the economic benefits of shopping at neighborhood businesses. AIBA sponsors include Data-Scribe(TM), Graze, Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), First Community Bank, Flying Star Cafe and Satellite Coffee, Standard Diner, and Aurora Publishing.