Senator Knollenberg offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 203.

            A resolution commemorating October 1 - 2, 2016, as I Buy Nearby Weekend.

            Whereas, Buy Nearby is an ongoing, year-round campaign, launched by the Michigan Retailers Association to benefit businesses, local communities and residents across Michigan; and

            Whereas, The campaign is intended to serve as a personal call to action, a symbol of pride and celebration, a rallying cry across Michigan and an economic driver for our state and local communities; and,

            Whereas, Buy Nearby wants to bring a "Pure Michigan" type of feeling to shopping in Michigan and get shoppers committed to buying nearby in Michigan; and

            Whereas, Retailing is responsible for 850,000 jobs in Michigan, and if shoppers commit to buying nearby in Michigan we can create more local jobs through increased local purchases; and

            Whereas, If Michigan consumers chose to support retail businesses in Michigan by always buying nearby rather than from "remote sellers," Michigan would gain more than 74,000 additional jobs and $9 billion in additional economic activity in 2016, including $2.5 billion in additional wages the new workers would earn; and

            Whereas, Each purchase made when someone buys nearby in Michigan keeps more money within Michigan communities, which improves the vitality of Michigan's local economies and the quality of life, and directly supports our communities, our schools, and our infrastructure; and

            Whereas, Buy Nearby seeks to build upon and strengthen existing shop-local groups by expanding and elevating the Buy Nearby in Michigan movement to a statewide campaign; and

            Whereas, The year-round Buy Nearby campaign has designated October 1 - 2, 2016, as I Buy Nearby Weekend, a time to celebrate local retail businesses and their importance, and to encourage consumers to demonstrate their support for their communities and their state by buying nearby; and

            Whereas, Communities and retailers are encouraged to offer special events and other promotions to encourage local shopping and stimulate Michigan's economy on I Buy Nearby Weekend; and

            Whereas, Buy Nearby will encourage shoppers to participate in the excitement of I Buy Nearby Weekend, which will demonstrate that buying nearby can be fun and rewarding to local communities and consumers; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That October 1 - 2, 2016, be hereby commemorated as I Buy Nearby Weekend in the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That the people of the state of Michigan are encouraged to buy nearby on this weekend and every day.