KINGSTON, Tenn.—Home is where you shop.

Roane County Chamber, a partner of the Roane Alliance, is hosting the annual “Shop Where Your Heart Is” shopping spree contest. Residents can enter by shopping locally at participating retailers between Black Friday and December 11 for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree.

The winners of the contest will be announced on December 13 at the Roane Alliance Open House and Holiday Party. Participating residents are encouraged to use and follow the hashtag, #ShopRoane, to engage with fellow community shoppers.

The goal of the contest is to encourage residents to shop locally and support local, small businesses.

“Support for small businesses is very important to Roane County,” Chamber Programs Coordinator Courtney Briley said. “Not only does shopping locally build relationships between our community members and business owners, but it also attracts new visitors, creates job opportunities and much more."

By shopping at local business, residents are putting money back in the community. One-half of Roane’s local sales taxes goes directly to the school system; and, for every $100 spent in a locally owned, independent business, $68 returns to the community, according to a study by Civic Economics.

Briley also said shopping locally increases the likelihood that money spent will stay in Roane County, therefore stimulating job growth, attracting new visitors and building sense of community.

“Supporting our local businesses is a vital piece of the community's sustainability,” Briley said.

A full list of participating retailers can be found at roanechamber.com/shoproane.

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About Roane County Chamber
Roane County Chamber of Commerce is a partner of the county's economic development organization, The Roane Alliance, along with the Roane County Industrial Development Board, the Roane County Visitors Bureau and Education Matters. Roane County Chamber of Commerce works to enhance the lifestyle and business climate of Roane County and to promote existing business and industry by developing partnerships with federal, state and local organizations to carry out a variety of projects.

About Roane Alliance
The Roane Alliance is Roane County’s economic development organization. It is an umbrella organization over both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau. The Roane Alliance also coordinates programs that promote alignment of K-12 education with local business through Education Matters and the recruitment of retirees to the area in Retire Roane, one of the 16 Retire Tennessee communities. As a cooperative public/private partnership, each member organization of the Alliance operates with its own focus, identity, board of directors and operating budget, while working toward unified goals for increased prosperity and improved quality of living.