by Lannie Walker

Guam - Keeping money circulating in the local economy instead of sending it off-island was the focus of an event hosted by the Guam Chamber of Commerce. And small businesses turned out to show consumers what they have to offer.

Small businesses got some exposure today, including Island Tinting's Joe Roberto,who says he is grateful for the chance to demonstrate what services they have to offer. "I'm really surprised that there isn't double or triple what we see, because every small business like us really depend on shows such as this because we get interaction one on one."

Members of the business community also got a chance to sit in on a seminar on buying local products and building partnerships, something business development manager for Ambros, Inc. Jojo Camacho is in full support of. "I think if people learn to buy local and we keep the money in the local economy it just generally makes Guam a better place for everyone to live and with the military buildup that could affect business through Micronesia and that is a really big shot in the arm the region needs," he stated.

He says he came to the expo to showcase what's new at his company. "We are here to show some of our new products personal safety gear available through Ambros most people think of us as a beverage distributor so we are here to expose ourselves to the market," he added.

This is the seventh annual expo and outreach hosted by the Guam Chamber of Commerce, of which President David Leddy talked about the organization's initiative to buy local. "When we keep local dollars circulating in our economy it creates increased tax dollars for our government to help with a lot of our government services, it helps to provide more jobs for our people, so there is a lot of benefits to shift some of your shopping dollars to Guam businesses."

Camacho added, "You are actually helping yourself when you buy local that really is the bottom line the more you can buy from the local companies who take that risk to invest and bring in product all consumers need here on Guam, the more you are helping yourself as a consumer."

And while Island Tinting is working to keep the heat out, 24 businesses total showed up the expo, hoping to turn up the heat at their businesses.