This is a Voices piece by Greenville Mayor Knox White. We’re calling it the Mayor’s Minute. Want to share your voice? You can contribute to GVLtoday here.

Downtown Greenville. It’s where we take out-of-town guests for sightseeing. Where we take a loved one for a night out. Where we find unique gifts that can’t be bought at a big box store. Our downtown is vibrant and successful because of its mix of uses. It was planned + developed intentionally to create a steady flow of pedestrian traffic. When citizens can live, work, shop, eat and gather in an urban center, it provides an energy throughout the day.

During the COVID-19 pandemic businesses in our city have been tested. They have modified, adapted, shifted and put in the sweat equity to stay open. Some have not been able to survive. Others are hanging in the balance.

Now is the time to act. Now is the time to invest in our community and the places that make it one-of-a-kind. Now is the time to break the online shopping routine that developed during the stay-at-home order. Think before you click. Ask yourself, “Can I get it in Greenville?”

The city is happy to partner with Greenville Federal Credit Union this month for #shopGVL. It is a two week campaign from October 5-19 to encourage purchases at local, independent Greenville businesses. Greenville Federal Credit Union will present 3 winners with $1,000 and their favorite local retail shops will receive $1,000 too. See more details here.

ShopGVL. Your dollars matter.