Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

Lawrence, Kansas

WHEREAS:   START HERE is a public awareness initiative of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce aimed at educating residents and business owners about the positive impact of making investments locally; and

 WHEREAS:   Local purchases generate other purchases and a positive impact on the Lawrence economy; and

WHEREAS:   As estimated by the University of Kansas Policy Research Institute, every dollar spent in Lawrence creates an additional ninety-eight cents of economic activity for the community, which does not occur for dollars spent outside our community; and

WHEREAS:    Purchasing goods and services locally keeps sales tax dollars in our economy, with two percent of every retail purchase staying in Lawrence; and

WHEREAS:   Sales tax revenue funds important municipal services that keep Lawrence strong, including police and fire protection, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, the indoor and outdoor aquatic centers, parks, and community centers;

 WHEREAS:  The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and its businesses encourage local patrons to enjoy a full week of retail and service promotions in kicking off the START HERE initiative, which seeks to keep these dollars and investments in our community,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Amyx, Mayor of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, do hereby proclaim the week of April 24 - 30 as

“START HERE WEEK”

And encourage the citizens of Lawrence to participate within this event and observe and lend a hand in the occasion in an appropriate manner.

                                                         Mike Amyx, Mayor

April 25, 2006