It’s called the 3/50 Project. It is the basis for a “shop local” campaign that has burgeoned in villages and towns across the country and is making its appearance in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, spurred on by the villages’ local Chambers of Commerce, and business groups and supported by The Hudson Independent.

The premise behind the project is a straightforward point; maintaining a vibrant local business district is important to the resident consumer in many ways. The 3/50 concept translates into each resident pledging to spend at least $50 among three local, independent, merchants within a month’s time. “Save Your Local Economy Three Stores at a Time” is the campaign’s mantra. The pledge generally is an informal vow made to oneself.

The idea was formulated by a marketing professional and retail consultant, Cinda Baxter in Minnesota, and has been gaining recognition nationally. In support of the concept, Baxter stated, “We live in a terrific country, built by independently owned brick and mortar businesses.” She believes in “paying it forward” by using her successful retail experience to help independent, local stores thrive.

Baxter’s “3/50 Program” website provides a variety of free graphic material for store owners to use to spread the idea among their customers.That material reminds shoppers that much more of every dollar spent locally at an independent merchant, rather than being spent at a large box store in a shopping mall, remains in a village or town or city.

Merchants participate by displaying placards and handing out informational leaflets and bag stuffers that stress the 3/50 Program concept. Additional 3/50 promotions may originate with the Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce and the villages’ merchants councils and associations. The Irvington Chamber of Commerce has the concept under consideration.

Boosters of the 3/50 Program point out that it is important for local residents to understand the significance of a thriving, local business district, which is often reflected in a number of ways in a community, including more employment, lower taxes and better property values.