‘It’s going to be hard’: Strathroy business leaders hope ‘Local First’ will help ease tariffs

Adam & his business partner Bronwyn Jones proudly hold up a "Local First" sticker. March 26, 2025 (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

As tariffs impact our nation, one corner of our region is taking a stand in its own way.

Strathroy, Mt. Brydges, and area have a new campaign with a simple message: ‘Local First’.

“It’s just a reminder that the local businesses and industries support our local economy,” said Donna Pammer, the executive-director Strathroy & District Chamber of Commerce

The slogan has been placed on social media and on a website that features downloadable and customized ‘Local First’ messaging.

500 stickers are also being distributed to local businesses.

A decal is affixed to a business partially owned by the new chair of the Strathroy Business Improvement Area (BIA).

Adam Rice told CTV News that the Local First campaign was conceived in the days following U.S. President Donald Trump’s initial tariff threats.

“It’s going to be hard at a lot of our businesses. Some of our businesses are going to be okay, and some of us are kind of developing side routes to what we plan on doing for the foreseeable future.”

The key to those ‘routes’ will be local customers who are committed to buying at home.

“You know, we realize in our small communities, sometimes we can’t find everything here,” acknowledged Pammer. “But, you know, check here first. Take a look around, and see what we have to offer. “

The new initiative extends beyond retail. The hope is that agriculture and industrial businesses in Strathroy-Caradoc, which are predicted to be among the hardest hit by tariffs, will take part.

“Obviously, when it comes to buying, you know, retail and groceries, we can all use our wallets. But, even where we can’t, you know, we might not be buying soybeans from the local farmer, but if we stay informed, we can support them, we can encourage them,” Pammer said.

“I mean, the thing is that the solution to this is just more local purchasing, more community, more buying Canadian-made, more Canadian-produced.”