It's not "Black Friday", it's "Bright Friday"!

Here in Tooele Country, it won't be "Black Friday", it's "Bright Friday"!

I live in a great town. Especially if you like that combination of "small town" lifestyle that isn't too far away from the big city for those really important things, like big screen, 3-D movies, or good Italian food.

Tooele County borders Salt Lake County, but contrary to popular opinion, that's where most similarities end. We don't exactly roll up the sidewalks at dark, but they definitely aren't crowded. Even though the County has nearly 60k residents, it's still pretty rural. I love that, and probably won't ever leave.

However, this lifestyle comes with some disadvantages. As we come to the Holiday's, one keeps rearing it's ugly head year after year. That's the steady stream of cars that head out of town around midnight on Thursday night/Friday morning, more commonly known universally as "Black Friday". I admit, in the past we've been one of those folks driving outside the County for those holiday "bargains". Not anymore.

You see, it doesn't really matter to the folks in Salt Lake county whether we're there Friday morning. They'll never notice the difference. However, our local businesses definitely notice, and by extension, we all notice in one way or another. Because, it's sales tax revenue that is going with us when we go out of town to shop.

For the last several years, I've served on the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce "Come Together" committee. Our whole task has been about educating the people of Tooele County about what happens when we take out tax dollars elsewhere. We've been pretty successful getting the word out, even using the "reach" that the Tooele County School district has with their 15k students to spread the word.

This year, we've upped the ante a bit. We launched the "Bright Friday" campaign this year, and are very excited about the prospects. It's designed around the idea that most of those items folks are heading out of town can be had right here in Tooele County. Participating merchants are advertising their own "Bright Friday" specials. Not only do we help our local businesses, but we help ourselves.

How important is that tax revenue? I saw a recent study that said Tooele is allowing some $500k in commercial "leakage" into the Salt Lake Valley. What that means to me is a dozen policemen or other vital employees. Maybe it's some equipment we need, like a firetruck. Or re-paving a street. Maybe it's keeping the doors open on a local business or two. 

I sit on the Tooele City Planning and Zoning Commission. I see the new businesses coming to town. I see the owners of vacant properties struggling to lease these spaces. I see how hard we're all working to keep our dollars here, to help our local businesses, and our own bottom line. What are you willing to do? Well outside of business trips and vacations, I won't even buy my gas outside of Tooele County, although I've been known to cheat and stop for a Crown Burger and fries, something that we haven't managed to replicate to my satisfaction here yet!. As far is "Bright Friday" is concerned, you'll find me asleep for an extra hour that night. I won't be making the drive!  Everything I need is here in Tooele County!