Each year during the Christmas Shopping Season, the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce holds a Holiday Business Tour to promote Chamber member retailers and shopping locally. This year’s effort is being led by Brooke Burns and members of the Chamber’s Special Events Committee.

Tomorrow the Chamber will hold its Third Annual Holiday Business Tour from 5-9 p.m. This event begins with a “check in” at Hinson’s Georgia Market (21 Centre) at Goshen Corners in Rincon, where shoppers will be given a Passport for Effingham Shopping Guide, and refreshments.

Shoppers are invited to visit participating retailers located throughout Effingham County. To add to the fun, the Chamber will be featuring a grand prize drawing for lucky holiday shoppers. To qualify for the drawing you must fill out an official entry blank provided at the check in and show proof of visiting at least six participating shops and stores.

Here’s a list of this year’s participating businesses:
Curiosity Shoppe Jewelers, Rincon    
maurices, Rincon
Effingham Museum, Springfield    
Merle Norman Cosmetics, Rincon
Farmer’s Home Furniture, Rincon    
New Life Flowers & Gifts, Rincon
Fireflies Jewelry & Gifts, Springfield    
One of a Kind, Rincon
Goin’ Postal, Rincon    
Rincon Packaging & Shipping, Rincon
Goody’s, Rincon    
Sears, Rincon
Hinson’s Georgia Market, Rincon    
Sweetpea’s, Rincon
Mary Kay Cosmetics, Rincon    
The Divine Diva Boutique, Rincon

Why should you shop locally?

When we shop locally, we are supporting our local businesses and Chamber members. These are the firms who are actively involved in the community and provide leadership and support for numerous charities, athletic groups and other good causes in Effingham County.

When we shop locally, we are also bringing local jobs and payroll dollars to the community. With the additions of Fort Howard Square, the new Lowe’s and other pending retail developments, we are seeing a dramatic growth and hundreds of new jobs in Effingham’s retail sector.

When we shop locally, we are also injecting hundreds of thousands of sales tax dollars into the coffers of local governments. These sales tax dollars provide a means for funding a multitude of local public services and SPLOST initiatives.

When we shop locally, we are pumping millions of dollars into our local economy, dollars that flow through our economy three to four times.

We encourage you to shop locally whenever and wherever possible this Christmas season. Our local economy benefits greatly and our local businesses appreciate your support.

Ken Stoner is the executive director of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce.