Summerland residents are being encouraged to shop local and support local businesses.

The chamber of commerce hopes a recently produced video will push residents to think about staying in town before shopping outside Summerland.

The video was unveiled at the at the chamber’s annual awards gala and is titled Our Connected Community.

Chamber executive director Christine Petkau says shopping from local businesses leaves $68 out of every $100 to recirculate in the local economy.

“In January, we decided to put some faces behind that number. We wanted to ask, “What is the real local impact of keeping our dollars in Summerland? Who are the people and organizations that benefit when we buy goods and services from Summerland businesses?”

Chamber president Arlene Fenrich says: “Even 10 per cent can make a significant difference in the community. And for those who do most of their shopping locally, thank you. As this video shows, it makes a huge difference in the lives of real people.”

The video is narrated by the former Miss Summerland Maddy Campbell, was created by ET2media and cost shared with the District of Summerland.