Tulsa World: Owasso pushes buying locally

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Owasso pushes buying locally
Helping support businesses and city projects is the aim.

By RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer
Published: 11/29/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/29/2009 6:13 AM

OWASSO — The city is leaning on the locals to rejuvenate the economy.

The "Buy Owasso. It Pays!" campaign, which started this month, will stress the importance of keeping dollars in town.

"Knowing the economic times, not only did we think the businesses needed a boost, but they also needed to feel like the community is supporting them," said Chelsea Harkins, the city's director of economic development.

"We wanted to turn a light bulb on for some of our residents to let them know that when we spend locally, it stays local."

In 2003, Owasso voters approved a permanent third-penny sales tax designed to support capital projects such as road improvements and construction of municipal facilities. The tax was first approved in 1983 and renewed in 1988 and 1997.

The municipality has used the money to complete a variety of projects. Among the largest have been the two-mile widening of North 129th East Avenue ($8.2 million) and the widening of Garnett Road from 86th to 96th streets ($4.8 million).

Declining sales tax numbers in recent months forced the city's hand.

To begin offsetting that trend, it poured $40,000 into the "Buy Owasso" campaign, launching a Web site, Harkins said. The money for the campaign originates from a hotel/motel tax increase approved by voters.

The site will feature different businesses each week and offer coupons that visitors can print out. Literature about the campaign will be distributed through utility bills and touted on billboards, Harkins said.

A "Did You Know?" feature will educate residents on what tax dollars are used for. For example, three cents of every dollar spent in Owasso is the city's portion of the sales tax.

The Web site is accessible through visiting tulsaworld.com/buyowasso .

Rhett Morgan 581-8395
rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com By RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/29/2009 2:52:27 AM) Owasso has completed a lot of projects. I spend 90% of my shopping funds in Owasso.
	Report Comment DirtyWhiteHouse, (11/29/2009 10:10:36 AM) if you internet shop you can avoid taxes and even get free shipping.
	Report Comment fld11, (11/29/2009 11:43:03 AM) Why would you buy anything there when you can get it cheaper elsewhere? Exaclty.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (11/29/2009 4:41:55 PM) Yes indeed, DirtyWhiteHouse. I have been an internet shopper for many years. I like the new chat link on line so I can find out if a product is made in China, which I will not purchase.

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