'Buy Local' This Holiday to Improve Arizona Economy

Arizona is suffering as a result of the economic climate. So the "Buy Local" campaign is urging consumers to spend locally -- in order to keep those dollars here instead of heading out-of-state or out-of-country.

Mom and pop stores have been hit especially hard by the recession. Now, local stores are pushing for a change this holiday season -- spend your money locally -- instead of at the big chains.

And they're offering sweet deals to entice you.

Localfirstaz.com lists more than 1,800 Arizona-owned businesses and lots of deals and bargains.

Shaun Breese, who works at Urban Cookies, is hoping customers will make investments in local business this holiday season. The three weeks before Christmas accounts for 40 percent of her business revenue.

"So much more of the dollars they spend with me go right back into the community," says Breese.

Customer Kristin Kulyniak says, "It's better to put in locally than go shop in big department stores and chains."

The owners of Simply Bread are also hoping locals will bring in their dough.

"I think it's really important to maintain the integrity of our local community and the only way you do that is to buy locally in good times and in bad," says Harold Back of Simply Bread.

Simply Bread employs just over 100 people. "And every one of those people has a home and family that they feed here in Phoenix and so for us it's important to ensure the long-term health of our community," he says. "Everything we do impacts our neighbors, impacts the community that we're in."

Friday, "Buy Local" week kicks off.

www.localfirstaz.com