Second Quarter 2012
story by MARK FAGAN
photos by STEVE HERTZOG
Among Lawrence residents who have jobs, nearly one in three travel outside the city limits to work — whether it’s to state agencies in Topeka, software firms in Johnson County or anywhere else employers issue paychecks for services rendered.
Now some Lawrence residents and business leaders are accelerating efforts to slow the flow of money leaving town, educating commuters in the broad benefits of purchasing items and services large and small right here at home.
“It would be the equivalent of bringing in a new manufacturing plant, or numerous businesses to town,” said Harry Herington, a Lawrence resident and “buy local” advocate who commutes to his job as CEO of NIC Inc. in Olathe. “You’re already spending the money; spend it at home. Benefit your neighbors. Take care of your own streets. Take care of your own parks. The best way to do that is just to think for a second: ‘If I’m getting gas, if I’m getting milk, if I’m buying a car — whatever — do it at home.’ ”Herington could very well be the face of “Live It Local,” a campaign from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce to build support for hometown folks doing all they can to support the businesses, governments and, in turn, quality-of-life attributes that make Lawrence the livable place that it is.
Raising awareness among commuters is among the effort’s most essential components.
The concept is simple: People who commute for work should think twice before filling up their gas tanks in Topeka, stopping by the grocery store in Overland Park, or picking up a shirt, refrigerator or even another car anywhere else.
That’s because keeping such spending at home makes a difference. Direct revenues make their way into the pockets of fellow Lawrence residents in the forms of employee wages, business profits and suppliers’ sales, money that then can turn over — and over and over again — throughout the community. Taxes on motor fuels pour into Lawrence City Hall, paving the way for nearly $3 million a year in road repairs, sidewalk upgrades, snow-removal operations and other basic needs.
Dropping $45 on a tank of unleaded across the state line in Missouri might be a convenient stop during a lunch break, but waiting instead until getting back into Lawrence can pump even more money into Lawrence’s economic, social and governmental engines.
Brian Watson knows the math. As assistant finance director for the city of Lawrence, he understands what a difference dollars spent in town can make for municipal government and all the residents, businesses and other institutions that depend on its services and projects. He feels better knowing that when he puts together budget information at City Hall, his own financial contributions — while stopping in for gas, taquitos, a 52-ounce Coca-Cola and other essentials at least twice a week along 23rd Street in southeast Lawrence — are adding up.
While Watson himself lives 55 minutes away, in Raymore, Mo., he’s confident that Lawrence residents increasingly will buy into the “Live It Local” message, once they understand what’s at stake.
“If you’re paying that tax,” Watson says, “it’s going back into the roads you’re using.”
But simple awareness won’t be enough to keep spending at home. Businesses still need to overcome close-to-work conveniences favored by commuters
Take it from Lawrence resident Steve Kelly, who does his best to spend money at home. He’ll fill up the fuel tank of the family car during the weekend, and hit the grocery store close to home.
But Kelly works in Topeka, as deputy secretary for business development at the Kansas Department of Commerce — where he’s responsible for economic-development programs and efforts that have helped draw International Speedway Corporation to invest $650 million in a new racetrack in Kansas City, Kan., and to spur that much and more of retail and entertainment development in adjacent Village West.
Competition in business is a reality, and Kelly acknowledges that he finds himself stepping out on Wanamaker Road in Topeka to pick up clothes, compare prices on appliances and see what else might be available to fit his family’s needs.
Face it: He’s in Topeka during the work day. It’s up to Lawrence businesses, he figures, to offer the products and services and hours of operation to convince him to keep his money in his wallet until he gets home.
“I understand the push for shopping locally,” Kelly says. “(But) to think you’re going to keep all the dollars in town, it’s wishful thinking. It’s just not realistic, because of proximity, and because of convenience.”
Businesses in Lawrence need to think of commuters’ needs, he says, if they want to secure commuters’ spending. A good place to start: Being open for commuters when they’re home.
“Remember, they’re not just competing with people in their market,” Kelly says, acknowledging Lawrence’s placement between expansive offerings in Topeka to the west and Johnson County and the Kansas City metro area to the east. “They’re competing with all these other folks. A lot of people, like me, have a limited amount of time to deal with. If you’re closed, I’m not going to work too hard to get around that.”
Jean Milstead couldn’t agree more. A retired banker and former chairwoman of the Lawrence chamber, Milstead now serves as the organization’s interim vice president for economic development. She’s familiar with businesses throughout the community, including many that could use a financial boost from commuters who might be spending elsewhere.
Some of those shops are closed on Sundays, which can be a frustrating sign for folks looking for a place to buy after working hard elsewhere all week.
“It’s fine to encourage people to buy local,” Milstead says. “But if they’re not open to people when they’re here, they can’t spend their money.”
Dale Willey isn’t taking any chances. The CEO of Dale Willey Automotive expanded his dealership on South Iowa Street nine years ago, with particular attention paid to expanding service bays and hiring additional employees to address the needs of commuters. His Express Service department is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each weekday, plus another seven hours on Saturday, to help accommodate folks who want to keep their dollars — and service records — at home.
“Now we’re seeing people who normally hadn’t,” Willey says. “It all adds up.”
Scott Zaremba has added commuter-friendly fare at some of his Zarco stations in the Lawrence area. His Scooter’s Coffeehouse locations provide coffee for those on the go, and he and Peach Madl are partnering on Sandbar Subs to offer fresh food.
His plan: Provide “better products, better services and better people” for all of his potential customers, including those who might be driving 22 or 45 or 63 miles each way, each day, to a workplace outside of town.
“If you look at the big picture, what the whole impact is, it makes sense to spend your money here,” says Zaremba, whose company has 70 employees. “The reason you live here is you like the community. Otherwise, you’d live in Kansas City or Topeka. Everybody looks for lifestyle, the quality of life. That’s what we have here.”
And that’s why folks like Zaremba, Willey, Milstead and others are working to see that “Live It Local” picks up speed in Lawrence, especially among commuters. Local spending means local benefits.
Herington is convinced he’ll see more of his neighbors keeping their money at home in the coming months, as word of the campaign — and its benefits — spreads.
“For most people it never dawns on them, so there has to be communication,” says Herington, whose company’s systems process $70 billion in electronic transactions each year on behalf of 27 state governments and two federal agencies. “There has to be education: It’s beyond just buying a product. Where does that money trickle down to? It improves our streets. It improves our schools. It improves our neighbors, because they’re working at those facilities. And it’ll help the overall economic growth of Lawrence.”
Buying into the “Live It Local” approach isn’t difficult or even inconvenient, Herington says. It simply means changing one’s mindset, a shift he and the chamber are looking forward to seeing Lawrence commuters embrace.
Related Sidebar: Harry Herington
254 Comments
Cost of Plavix on Medicare best price on generic Cost of Plavix without insurance
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal website now 😉
https://stromectol1st.shop/# buy minocycline 50 mg for humans
reputable indian pharmacies
rybelsus.icu: rybelsus.icu – Buy semaglutide
antiplatelet drug: clopidogrel pro – buy plavix
Paxlovid buy online best price on pills Paxlovid over the counter
paxlovid price: best price on pills – paxlovid india
plavix medication: clopidogrel – Cost of Plavix on Medicare
https://stromectol1st.shop/# ivermectin 9 mg tablet
reputable indian online pharmacy
Paxlovid over the counter: check this – buy paxlovid online
Plavix 75 mg price: Clopidogrel 75 MG price – Cost of Plavix on Medicare
rybelsus buy semaglutide online Buy semaglutide
https://stromectol1st.shop/# ivermectin cream uk
top online pharmacy india
buy rybelsus: rybelsus – rybelsus
п»їpaxlovid: paxlovid shop – п»їpaxlovid
paxlovid generic best price on pills paxlovid pill
проблемы сми в казахстане, российские сми в казахстане
озон қабатының бұзылуына әсер ететін
факторлар, озон қабатының жұқаруы алдын алу скачать сборник казахских песен 2021 одним файлом, сборник казахских песен скачать кеттік бәрін таста скачать
2021, уйде каламын скачать
пинап зеркало пинап зеркало пин ап вход
1xbet скачать: 1xbet – 1xbet скачать
pin up kz: пин ап казино вход – пин ап казино вход
пин ап: пинап казино – пинап
пин ап зеркало пин ап зеркало пин ап зеркало
пин ап официальный сайт: пин ап вход – пинап зеркало
http://1winbrasil.win/# pinup az
пинап кз
пин ап: пинап – пин ап кз
молитва обидчику за здравие дни воинской славы россии, дни воинской славы
россии 2024 по каким дням снятся вещие
молитва на замужество аудио сонник доллары видеть
casino oyunlar?: dunyan?n en iyi casino siteleri – casino oyunlar?
пинап казино: пинап казино – пин ап кз
dunyan?n en iyi casino siteleri: casino siteleri – guvenilir casino siteleri
pinup az pin-up casino giris pin-up casino giris
пин ап зеркало: пин ап – пинап зеркало
пин ап: пин ап кз – pin up
пин ап: pin up – пинап
https://1winbrasil.win/# pin up 306
пинап кз
guvenilir casino siteleri: h?zl? casino – casino sitesi
pin up casino: pin up azerbaycan – pinup az
pin-up: pin up – pin-up
pin up пинап казино pin up kz
pin-up: pin up – pin-up casino giris
https://1winbrasil.win/# pin-up casino giris
пин ап
пинап зеркало: пин ап вход – пинап зеркало
пин ап зеркало: пин ап вход – пин ап вход
pin up: pin up 306 – pin up azerbaycan
пин ап кз: пин ап казино – пинап
пин ап зеркало: пин ап зеркало – пинап зеркало
https://1winrussia.online/# 1хставка
pin up kz
pin up casino: pin up azerbaycan – pin up 306
en iyi casino siteleri: en iyi casino siteleri – slot casino siteleri
cazino: casino sitesi – casino sitesi
пин ап кз: пин ап казино – пин ап
http://1winci.icu/# пин ап зеркало
pin up kz
1xbet официальный сайт: 1xbet скачать – 1xbet
1xbet: 1хставка – 1xbet официальный сайт
Ich stehe total auf manner die wissen was sie wollen and free online live webcams auf geile gesprache! Wenn du auf junge curvy blondienen mit gro?en Brusten stehst bist du bei mir genau richtig.
http://1winbrasil.win/# pin-up casino giris
pin up
пин ап вход: пин ап – пинап зеркало
пин ап пин ап пин ап официальный сайт
пин ап зеркало: пин ап – пинап зеркало
Hi sweetie, give me a call. The thought of my huge blonde cam girls is guaranteed to put a lot of pressure on you.
canl? casino: casino sitesi – canl? casino
best online pharmacy india: top 10 online pharmacy in india – buy medicines online in india
http://indianpharm1st.com/# online pharmacy india
ed remedies that really work: online ed meds – how can i order prescription drugs without a doctor
prescription drugs treatment for ed how to get prescription drugs without doctor
https://indianpharm1st.com/# best india pharmacy
best over the counter ed pills: best ed solution – muse for ed
https://drugs1st.store/# best ed medications
amoxicillin without a doctor’s prescription homepage ed cures
ed treatment review: online meds for ed – erectile dysfunction
http://mexicanpharm1st.com/# best online pharmacies in mexico
http://indianpharm1st.com/# indian pharmacy
où trouver du médicaments en France Basi Kaindorf an der Sulm médicaments disponible au Maroc
https://pinupzerkalo.fun/# пин ап
pinup-az bid: pinup – pinup
http://sweetbonanzatr.pro/# sweetbonanzatr.pro
pin up zerkalo
https://pinupzerkalo.fun/# pin up zerkalo
pin up win
pinup: pin up 306 – pin up 306
https://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пинап
пин ап: пин ап казино – пин ап зеркало
Compra medicamentos en Alemania Alter Chía Commandez médicaments
en ligne sans tracas
https://pinupzerkalo.fun/# пинап казино
pin up win
pin up azerbaycan pinup-az bid pinup
sweet bonanza tr: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza oyna
http://pinup-az.bid/# pin up 306
пин ап зеркало: пин ап вход – пин ап вход
sweet bonanza oyna: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza oyna
Пин Ап Казахстан: пинап казино – pin up kz
https://pinup-az.bid/# pinup az
pin up casino
pin up: pin up casino – pin-up
http://pinupzerkalo.fun/# pinco
pin up win
pin up: pinup az – pinup az
pinco пинко пин ап вход
sweet bonanza: sweet bonanza – sweet bonanza
http://pinup-az.bid/# pin-up casino giris
http://pinupzerkalo.fun/# бонусы пин ап
pin up casino
pin up zerkalo: Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт в России – пинап казино
пинап казино: Пин Ап Казахстан – pin up kz
pinup: pinup – pinup
https://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пин ап казино
pin up zerkalo
pin-up pin up azerbaycan pin-up casino giris
пинап казино: пинап – пин ап кз
http://biznes-fabrika.kz/# пинап
пинко: пин ап казино – пин ап казино
pinup az: pin up casino – pin up casino
http://biznes-fabrika.kz/# Пин Ап Казино Официальный Сайт
pin up casino
17211 342605really like your imagination!!!! fantastic work!! oh yeah.. cool photography too. 186257
Urgent Specialists: Regenerative Medicine – Regenerative Medicine
http://paxlovid1st.store/# Visit store
http://paxlovid1st.store/# paxlovid price
stromectol best price: find bets price – stromectol delivery usa
semaglutide: Urgent Specialists – rybelsus price
buy gabapentin: compare the best prices – involves multisystem
http://semaglutide.ink/# Patient Portal
cheapest: good price – stromectol online
http://paxlovid1st.store/# cheapest paxlovid
paxlovid1st: cheapest paxlovid – paxlovid price
https://stromectol1st.store/# find bets price
gabapentin best price: Care provides – licensed gabapentin
paxlovid price: Pills Paxlovid – Visit store
работа срочно для женщины удаленно подработка ульяновск с ежедневной оплатой ленинский район какие профессии можно
изучить онлайн подработка феодосия 14 лет
cheap drugs online cheap drugs erection pills that work
male dysfunction pills http://indianpharm24.pro/# online shopping pharmacy india
best online pharmacy: cheap pharmacy online – cheap erectile dysfunction pill
mail order pharmacy india Indian pharmacy to USA top 10 pharmacies in india
https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
best online pharmacy
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – mexico drug stores pharmacies
home remedies for ed cheap prescription drugs buy prescription drugs from india
buy medication online http://indianpharm24.pro/# reputable indian online pharmacy
world pharmacy india: Indian pharmacy international shipping – reputable indian online pharmacy
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa mexico pharmacy best online pharmacies in mexico
https://indianpharm24.pro/# india pharmacy mail order
treatment with drugs
medicine for ed https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexico drug stores pharmacies
ed remedies low cost prescription viagra without doctor prescription
online drugs: cheap drugs online – medicine for ed
indian pharmacy paypal: Indian pharmacy worldwide delivery – Online medicine home delivery
http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# buying prescription drugs in mexico online
erection pills
buy prescription drugs online low cost pharmacy treating ed
ed doctor https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# buying prescription drugs in mexico online
buying prescription drugs in mexico mexico pharmacy cheap buying prescription drugs in mexico online
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: mexican pharm 24 – buying prescription drugs in mexico online
indianpharmacy com: indian pharm 24 – world pharmacy india
https://indianpharm24.pro/# world pharmacy india
ed treatment
canadian medications cheap drugs cheap medications online
can ed be cured https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# п»їbest mexican online pharmacies
reputable mexican pharmacies online: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – buying prescription drugs in mexico online
buy prescription drugs from india indian pharmacy purchase online Online medicine home delivery
http://pharm24.pro/# best ed treatment pills
cause of ed
mexican rx online Legit online Mexican pharmacy best online pharmacies in mexico
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: Legit online Mexican pharmacy – purple pharmacy mexico price list
best canadian pharmacy online http://indianpharm24.pro/# reputable indian pharmacies
ed medication: cheap pharmacy online – male erection pills
http://indianpharm24.pro/# indian pharmacy online
medication for ed
prescription meds without the prescriptions http://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# buying from online mexican pharmacy
impotence treatment: affordable medication – top rated ed pills
indian pharmacies safe: medicines from India – india pharmacy mail order
https://mexicanpharm24.cheap/# mexico drug stores pharmacies
aspirin and ed
anti fungal pills without prescription http://indianpharm24.pro/# india pharmacy
matadorbet.bid matadorbet giris matadorbet giris
deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey betturkey.com https://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler mycbet.com
https://slot-tr.online/# az parayla cok kazandiran slot oyunlar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler
Casino Siteleri: guvenilir casino siteleri – Canl? Casino Siteleri
matadorbet giris: matadorbet – matadorbet
slot siteleri slot tr online slot oyunlar? puf noktalar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org https://ultrabet-tr.online/# ultrabet yeni giris 1125
deneme bonusu veren yeni siteler: deneme bonusu veren yeni siteler – deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey betturkey.com
en kazancl? slot oyunlar? slot oyunlar? puf noktalar? en kazancl? slot oyunlar?
ultrabet yeni giris 1125: ultrabet guncel – ultrabet guncel
https://denemebonusuverensiteler.top/# deneme bonusu veren siteler 2024
deneme bonusu veren siteler yerliarama.org
slot siteleri slot oyunlar? slot oyunlar? puf noktalar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler mycbet.com https://casinositeleri.win/# Deneme Bonusu Veren Siteler
slot tr online: slot tr online – en kazancl? slot oyunlar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni denemebonusuverensiteler.top denemebonusuverensiteler.top
ultrabet tr online: ultrabet – ultrabet bonus
matadorbet giris matadorbet.bid matadorbet bid
топ сатана на подработке
подработка для подростков
в красноармейске подработка онлайн для подростков 11 лет подработка дворником новокузнецк
denemebonusuverensiteler.top https://matadorbet.bid/# matadorbet
ultrabet tr online: ultrabet – ultrabet giris
slot siteleri az parayla cok kazandiran slot oyunlar? slot oyunlar?
deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com: deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni – deneme bonusu veren siteler
deneme bonusu veren siteler denemebonusu2026.com https://slot-tr.online/# slot siteleri
deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey betturkey.com: deneme bonusu veren siteler yeni – deneme bonusu veren siteler betturkey betturkey.com
matadorbet bid matadorbet.bid matadorbet.bid
fur pharm cheapest lasix furpharm
cheapest ed pills ere pharm: ED meds online with insurance – best ed pill ere pharm
https://rybpharm.com/# buy rybelsus
http://erepharm.com/# best ed pill ere pharm
kampharm shop kam pharm shop kamagra oral jelly
buy lasix fur pharm: furosemide – buy furosemide online
http://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm cheap semaglutide
furosemide fur pharm furosemide furpharm.com furosemide furpharm.com
https://rybpharm.com/# buy rybelsus canada
http://kampharm.shop/# kampharm.shop
erepharm pills: ED meds online – best ed pill ere pharm
best ed pills online best ed pill ere pharm ED pills non prescription
Kam Pharm: kamagra oral jelly – Kam Pharm
https://rybpharm.com/# rybpharm cheap semaglutide
ED meds online: best ed pills online – erepharm pills
http://kampharm.shop/# kamagra
buy ed pills ED meds online with insurance buy ed pills
buy ed pills: best ed pills online – cheapest ed pills ere pharm
furpharm: lasix – furpharm
https://erepharm.com/# cheapest ed pills ere pharm
kampharm shop kam pharm shop kam pharm shop
https://kampharm.shop/# Kamagra Kam Pharm
buy kamagra oral jelly Kam Pharm: kamagra oral jelly – kampharm.shop
https://furpharm.com/# furosemide
erepharm.com ED pills non prescription ed pills
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexican pharmacy online medications – mexico drug stores pharmacies
https://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# indian pharmacy paypal
buy prescription drugs from india: Online medicine home delivery – Online medicine home delivery
https://canadiandrugsgate.com/# natural cure for ed
mexican rx online: Mexican Pharmacy Gate – mexican drugstore online
medication for ed Canada pharmacy erectyle disfunction
http://indianpharmacyeasy.com/# best online pharmacy india
cheap medication online: Canadian pharmacy online – ed and diabetes
mexican mail order pharmacies: MexicanPharmGate – mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
http://mexicanpharmgate.com/# medication from mexico pharmacy
indian pharmacy Online medicine home delivery pharmacy website india
best india pharmacy: Best online Indian pharmacy – indianpharmacy com
https://canadiandrugsgate.com/# new ed treatments
drug prices comparison: Canada pharmacy online – best ed medicine
best online pharmacy india: Best Indian pharmacy – indian pharmacy paypal
ed prescription drugs canadian pharmacy ed cures that actually work
http://mexicanpharmgate.com/# buying prescription drugs in mexico
buying from online mexican pharmacy: Mexican Pharm Gate – mexican drugstore online
https://canadiandrugsgate.com/# male ed
top online pharmacy india Best Indian pharmacy п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
ed drugs online from canada http://canadiandrugsgate.com/# comfortis for dogs without vet prescription
ed drugs compared
buy priligy: priligy – buy priligy
25 mg prednisone: prednisone ray pharm – buy prednisone online usa
prednisone pack: ray pharm – prednisone 15 mg tablet
amoxicillin 500 mg capsule https://clomidrexpharm.com/# where can i buy cheap clomid pill
buy priligy buy priligy max pharm max pharm
amoxicillin 500mg pill https://clomidrexpharm.com/# can i get cheap clomid without prescription
prednisone generic cost: prednisone – prednisone 60 mg tablet
buying prednisone: buy prednisone – how can i order prednisone
amoxicillin online pharmacy Amoxicillin buy online cost of amoxicillin prescription
can i purchase clomid tablets: generic clomid – how can i get clomid for sale
amoxil generic https://clomidrexpharm.com/# where to get generic clomid pill
Priligy tablets: max pharm – priligy
where can i get prednisone: raypharm – buy prednisone mexico
5 mg prednisone tablets online prednisone prednisone 20 mg tablet
get generic clomid without dr prescription: clomid – order clomid no prescription
priligy: dapoxetine online – max pharm
cost of prednisone 5mg tablets: cheap prednisone – prednisone tablets india
prednisone 10mg cheap prednisone where can i buy prednisone without prescription
can you purchase amoxicillin online: cheap amoxil – amoxicillin medicine
prednisone 12 tablets price: prednisoneraypharm – 1250 mg prednisone
prednisone for sale without a prescription: prednisone ray pharm – 6 prednisone
prednisone brand name: generic Prednisone – prednisone tabs 20 mg
prednisone 10 mg tablets: Prednisone Without Prescription – prednisone best price
max pharm: dapoxetine price – priligy max pharm
amoxicillin 500 mg where to buy: amoxil – amoxicillin 200 mg tablet
can i purchase generic clomid without rx: buy clomid – cost cheap clomid online