New Alliance Advocates for Local Businesses

Four members of the Putnam County Independent Business Alliance got together last week to brainstorm, (l-r) Jim Byron, Dr. Joseph Ross, Bill Evans and Rich Osmers. Photo by Eric Gross A group of entrepreneurs across Putnam County who realize the value of local business have created the Putnam County Independent Business Alliance to help locally-owned independent businesses succeed.

The core group, consisting of Rich Osmers, Bill Evans, Jim Byron, Dr. Joseph Ross, Ray Ruyack, and Steve Ross, has already enrolled 82 of Putnam's 4300 small businesses into the organization by employing an array of supporting services.

Osmers, owner of OSCOM, in Carmel, who serves as president of the group, said PCIBA's membership had a "natural interest in the community's long-term health while investing much of their life savings in a commercial enterprise."

Evans, who owns Brewster Shell on Route 22 in Southeast, explained that the group's mission statement was simple. "Helping local business. Our goal is to assist the small businessman compete with the large national chains, who, in many cases, are displacing locallyowned businesses across the U.S."

Byron, proprietor of Patterson Auto Body, called the disappearance of small business alarming. "The departure of local businesses leaves a social and economic void that is real. A community's quality of life changes in ways that ecoby nomics is slow to measure."

Latest statistics indicate 37 cents of every dollar spent at a national chain store leaves the community, while 45 cents of every dollar remains in the community when it is spent at a local merchant.

Evans told the Courier, "When a big box store moves into town the net effect is 600 fewer jobs in a community."

Dr. Ross said one of the group's goals was to attract business to the county. "When I began my practice more than 30 years ago, there were a lot more merchants along our villages' and hamlets' main streets. They disappeared little by little. Our hope is to rejuvenate business while keeping what we have, and, at the same time, encouraging new ventures to consider locating across the county."

Dr. Ross remembered the day when he and Evans sat down to chat about the future of small business and discussion quickly turned to an idea tabbed the "winner's circle. Ten local merchants got together and began discussing ideas ranging from building one's business to getting rid of a customer that made you crazy. We had a lot of fun. Brainstorming continued and the core group took the concept to the next level, by creating a mission statement."

The focus turned towards the American Independent Business Alliance. The Putnam businesspeople met with a group of entrepreneurs in Orange County and decided to create their own organization. The Putnam County Independent Business Alliance was born.

A tool was needed to make the organization more visible in the community and the Putnam Community Cash Card—known as the "electronic wallet," by Dr. Ross was born.

Participating merchants place cash awards on the account, resulting in real money being given to customers purchasing merchandise from one of the participating businesses.

Osmers estimated 2,500 cards had already been distributed countywide.

Those interested in obtaining a cash card or learning more about the Putnam County Independent Business Alliance can call 225-8300 or visit the group's website at PCIBA.org.