Buy Penrith Valley at the VIC

Residents shopping outside of Penrith Valley did not benefit the city, Mayor Greg Davies, said at the launch of “Buy Penrith Valley” campaign, at the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre.
“It is of no value whatsoever to have somebody from the Hawkesbury or Bathurst spend $500 in Penrith, if someone from Penrith goes to Parramatta and spends $500 in Parramatta. It doesn’t achieve anything,” he told some 40 business people.
Cr Davies said Penrith Valley had the potential, as a regional city, to attract people from a large catchment area to generate wealth and economic development, but it was important that local people supported such development.
“We’ve got 7000 business in Penrith and if we can generate business growth and development to the point that everyone of those businesses could put on one extra employee, we’d create 7000 jobs,” he said.
Cr Davies people buying locally in Penrith Valley were helping themselves and creating opportunities for themselves and for their children. “We want people to look around this area before going elsewhere,” he said.
Jill Woods, CEO, of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the campaign was a joint initiative “rebirthed” last October,
with the chamber, the Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Penrith Business Advisory Centre, the Penrith City Centre Association and Penrith City Council, as the original stakeholders.
“Buy Penrith Valley is about reminding people of the importance of growing our, local economy first and foremost, with this clear and constant message. This project can have an extended life and make positive contributions to our local economy, in turn benefiting each of us,” she said.
John Todd, Executive Officer, of the Penrith City & District Business Advisory Centre, said his centre is behind the community wide initiative, “We are pleased to be involved in this local initiative which can only benefit all business in Penrith Valley region, but particularly small businesses which are the focus of their endeavours.”
Gladys Reed, CEO, of the Penrith City Centre Association, said the organisation had introduced a “green card”, a shopper’s reward card, last year to encourage local people to shop in the city centre, an initiative which has attracted 30 participating businesses to date.
Steve Willingale, acting CEO, of the Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation, said after the launch that the Buy Penrith Valley campaign had the potential to be a worthwhile initiative for the city.
“It really needs local businesses, residents, clubs, sporting groups and other local organisations to get behind the promotion and so boost the future of the city economically. From that employment will follow,” he said.

Photo: Penrith Mayor Cr Greg Davies launches the 'Buy Penrith Valley' initiative.