The big buying season is just around the corner and the Blue Band Committee is hoping to build on the success of a similar campaign last year.

The Blue Band Committee is declaring October, "Shop Local Month". They're hoping to give a boost to the local economy with more people hitting the stores.

The Blue Bandwagon Shop Local campaign began last year to highlight the importance of buying local products and to create awareness for western slope businesses.

They're calling October "Shop Local Month" because they know, with the holidays coming soon, more families increase their spending habits. They're starting the campaign with a contest for residents to enter with receipts of local purchases. It runs from October 1st through the 16th.

“It's worth your while to do it, and again, the prizes are great and the discounts are great, but I think everybody should be proud of the fact that when they do spend their dollars locally, it impacts the economy about a multiplier of 3. So that's three dollars in terms of economic growth that helps sustain jobs” said Diane Shwenke of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce.

Contest prizes are donated by over 30 blue band businesses and range from furniture, to food, to gift items.

The blue band committee hopes the contest will get people involved in the program, so they'll continue to spend their dollars locally when it's time for the holidays.