WPRO Newsroom

With Black Friday only days away, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts and other official kicked off the Buy Local Rhode Island campaign to benefit local businesses during the holiday season.

“It’s something we can all enjoy that makes the holidays more pleasant and it also helps build jobs right here in our state; and you can get some great stuff,” said Roberts.

The campaign was started by Roberts in 2007 and is overseen by the Rhode Island Foundation. The Buy Local campaign is meant to highlight and promote local retail businesses over national chain-stores. RI Foundation President Neil Steinberg said the program helps bolster communities.

“You have high quality, you have your neighbors, you’re supporting people who own businesses that invest back into the community; it’s about three-to-one, at least, the money that stays in Rhode Island if you buy local compared to the national chains,” said Steinberg.

Steinberg said people should shop locally instead of waiting outside in long lines early Friday morning.