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for local firms that support your community!

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Why 'Think Monroe County First'?

If every household in Monroe County spends an additional $3.50 per day that they are currently spending outside of the county, local business sales will increase by more than $18.5 million per year. Monroe County and its municipalities will collect an additional $232,792 per year in sales tax and (as of January 1st) an additional $46,558 for levee repairs.

Our household goal: $3.50 per day, per household—a couple of sodas, a really good cup of coffee, about a gallon of gas. If we can increase that to $50 per week per household, then the total will rise to almost $40 million per year in increased sales (about $64,000 per business).

Many people do not realize that both motor fuel tax and sales tax apply to every purchase of gasoline within Monroe County. $0.19 from every gallon of gas goes directly to the State of Illinois for a variety of government services, including road construction and maintenance, plus another 6.25% for sales tax. At $3.00 per gallon, $.38 of every gallon comes back to Illinois residents. That’s $7.60 for every 20-gallon tank of gas you purchase. If you fill your tank once a week, that’s $395 per year. After January 1st, an additional quarter percent will go to help secure our levee system. For every 100 people that fill their 20-gallon tanks once a week across the Mississippi in Missouri, $40,040 of revenue is lost for our roads and public services. Why should we send that revenue across the river?

“This project has opened my eyes and I have made it a point to ‘walk the walk’ by shopping Monroe County first whenever possible. It has changed my way of thinking and I believe it is a very important cause.”

Tom Hootselle,
VP Commercial Banking
Midland States Bank

Win...and Draw!

Here's another reason to "think Monroe County first"--each month, customers who participate in the campaign will be entered into a drawing by the local merchants they patronize.

Sallie Barbeau of Columbia is the February Think Monroe County First “Super Consumer” drawing winner. Barbeau’s gift, courtesy of The Rosedale House, 228 Mueller Lane, Ste. 18, Waterloo, was filled with Valentine goodies including a gift certificate from Diehl Florist for a dozen roses, a box of Valentine chocolates, a bottle of wine from Schorr Lake Vineyard, two heart decorated wine glasses, a large stuffed plush heart, and a gift certificate to Applebees.

Barbeau's entry was drawn at Harres Home Furnishings and Appliances, 900 Admiral Weinel Blvd., Columbia.

March's winner will a $100 gift certificate from J.Fires Market Bistro, 725 N. Market St. Waterloo.

Don't wait--think Monroe County first when you purchase, and get in the drawing...