The Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is featuring four special weeks in November during its “Loyal to Local” shop local campaign. Star Journal photo

For the Star Journal

RHINELANDER – As holiday giving season nears, the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging shoppers to buy local. The annual Loyal to Local campaign launched by the chamber is emphasizing the important role local businesses play in the community.

The chamber’s website states, “it is easy to find what you need locally, celebrate where you live, and put what matters most first. Keep your dollars where your heart lives, support an economy of friends and neighbors, and build a community that thrives by remaining Loyal to Local.”

The four-week campaign will run through Nov. 30, and asks residents, visitors and businesses to patronize local establishments.

Nov. 3-9: Eat Local

Nov. 10-16: Explore Local

Nov. 17-23: Shop Local

Nov. 30: Small Business Saturday

Statistics on rhinelanderchamber.com indicated small businesses keep money in the community. For every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays within Rhinelander; 23 cents of every dollar is reinvested by small businesses into other local businesses. Additionally, the website points out that shopping locally instead of traveling reduces the carbon footprint and saves money on gas. “Products that are created within the Rhinelander community also produce less emissions as a result of reduced transportation and shipping needs, compared to products that are brought in via plane, train or truck,” the website states