After 25 years, the North Central Chamber of Commerce continues to do what it’s always done: promote local small business. But with the tough economic climate, it is more of a challenge than ever, says NCCC president Robert Lafond. “Businesses have to work smarter,” he said at the chamber’s latest promotion, a holiday shopping event held at the Village at Waterman Lake in Smithfield on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Many of the organization’s board meetings are held at the Chalet’s facility room. The event was an effort to showcase local businesses and promote holiday shopping. The event featured free admittance, complimentary coffee and $5 vouchers in “Chamber Bucks.” The NCCC serves the towns of Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, Scituate, Foster and Glocester, many of which do not have their own business associations. Laurie Langford, owner of “Wishes Under Wrap” in Johnston, is a very active chamber member. “It’s great – they work very hard to promote businesses in the community,” she said on Tuesday, while promoting her store and Web site at the event. “This is a great opportunity.” Langford said she tries to keep the support going by employing local printers and graphic designers for her business needs. “I do keep my business local and I’ve always tried to buy in Johnston,” she said. She has branched her gift store out into several different areas, adding bridal services. “We actually carry a lot of items that are made in Rhode Island,” said Tom Fantasia, who owns a business called Stella Maris with his wife Eve. The store, located in Smithfield, sells Catholic books and other items. Some businesses offer special NCCC event rates, including Frank Ferri, owner of Town Hall Lanes, who at the event ran an offer selling $50 gift certificates for $40 and was selling bowling balls with MLB and NFL logos. Other Johnston businesses included the newly opened “Unique Total Body,” located on Putnam Pike. “It’s an association with a lot of heart,” said owner Kelli Campellone. She praised other chamber member businesses, such as Sovereign Bank, with which she is a longtime customer. “I’ve been banking with them since they were Hospital Trust – it’s the same people,” she said. “It really is comforting to walk in and they know you – they’ve helped me with the business aspects, with online banking. I like having long-lasting relationships, in both my private life and in business.” Campellone joined the chamber even before the ribbon was cut at her business. Participating North Providence businesses included RI Billiards Bar and Rendine’s Home Appliance Center, both located in nearby Centredale. Santa, actually Gary McCauley of UNO Chicago Grill of Smithfield, was also on hand to greet guests and give out discount coupons for the restaurant. “I think this was a good thing to do as a group, to promote our businesses together,” said Steve Rendine, whose father “Broadway Joe” started the business 50 years ago. “It’s a struggle, but you got to be out there.” His business has also branched out; it recently started selling flat-screen televisions. Other businesses included Gene Hutnak Photography, Citizens Bank, Mary Kay Cosmetics, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence’s Early Learning Center, Mother Nature’s Florist, Crystal Lake Golf Club, Notable Works Publications and Sweet Grass Jewelry. For one day they were all under one roof – in the function room of the Chalet at the Village at Waterman Lake, fostering an atmosphere of cooperation in expanding their opportunities locally. “We need to get the business community to come together,” said Lafond. The effort by the chamber echoes that of Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, who has been on the road promoting her new initiative, “Buy Local R.I.” Roberts, chair of the Small Business Advocacy Council, announced the statewide initiative on Nov. 18, as an effort to grow sales and consumer base for locally owned businesses during challenging economic times. Roberts and members of the Small Business Advocacy Council have joined with members of local Chambers of Commerce, local business owners and state and local elected officials to help create a statewide network and Web site dedicated to expanding the market for local businesses and products by connecting people to Rhode Island businesses. The chamber event was just one of a list of “Main Street” stops and tours, building on existing "shop locally" initiatives. Upcoming “Main Street” tours will be held In Providence (Broad Street) on Dec. 15 starting at 10 a.m.; in Warren on Dec. 17 starting at 1 p.m.; and in Newport on Dec. 22 starting at 10 a.m. A full list is available at www.ltgov.ri.gov/buylocalri/. “A small shift in your spending habits can have a large impact on Rhode Island's economy,” Roberts told the group. “A 10 percent shift toward local businesses has the power to grow economic output 20 percent, generate millions in economic activity and create hundreds of jobs. For every dollar you spend locally, 50 percent more stays in Rhode Island.” She praised the efforts of an existing initiative called “Farm Fresh RI” for local produce growers. “We have to help one another and work together. It’s important for the shopper, as well as the small business owner, each of us plays a part, we all have to change our habits,” she continued. Roberts hopes to get the Buy Local RI Web site up and running, which will allow users to search specific products and services to find a local supplier or business. “This is important, so that someone like me, who lives in Cranston and may not know about a business in Johnston or Smithfield [can locate one],” she said. “Rhode Islanders are proud of their state, and we have so many great places in R.I.” Lafond was happy with the turnout for the event; the chamber is already thinking about getting a bigger space for next year. “It’s the first time we’ve done this, and I can guarantee that it won’t be our last,” Lafond said. For more information about NCCC future events, contact the North Central Chamber of Commerce at 349-4674 or visit www.ncrichamber.com.