Besides the occasional grocery trip, Itta Bena native Chartrjon Glover shops outside the city limits.
But if better bargains were offered from Itta Bena businesses, Glover would be the first in line. "I would be their No. 1 customer," Glover said.
That's what Itta Bena's aldermen want to hear as they plan for May's Shop in Itta Bena Month.
The idea is to get businesses to offer incentives for Itta Bena citizens to continue shopping for basic necessities, such as food, fuel and clothes, within the city.
Alderman-at-Large Elmus Stockstill, a leading proposer, said keeping money in the municipality will boost revenue from tax dollars.
"I don't see any reason we should leave Itta Bena unless we have a major emergency," he said.
Stockstill expects the measure will ease the $100,000 debt the city has been shouldering for the past year.
The aldermen-at-large will compare last year's sales tax revenues of $12,765 in May with the this year's May to gauge Shop in Itta Bena's success.
On Thursday, Glover was getting ready for a haircut at Bea Unique Beauty Salon on Front Street.
Naema Jones, owner, said she has a good customer base from Itta Bena. "They've helped me stay here."
Jones contends that if you offer a good service and a good price people will patronize your business. She is interested in giving the Shop in Itta Bena Month a shot.
Mississippi Valley State University's Center for Economic Development is pitching in to help with the ad campaign.
"We want to broadcast this all over the universe," said Roosevelt Sanders, executive director.
Sanders is looking for businesses inside and outside Itta Bena to sponsor the event.
The advertising campaign will also extend to Valley's campus to inspire students to participate.
Organizers chose a month because it will provide enough time for sponsors to really push a campaign, according to Tavarris Cross, coordinator for the Small Business Training Institute at Valley.
If more people shop in town that increases the bottom line for these businesses, Cross said."They in turn provide the revenue."
