CAMDEN, NJ – Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen announced yesterday the launch of the Buy Camden 1st initiative created to help Camden-based small businesses grow, in partnership with the Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA). The mayor made his announcement at the Camden Community Partnership’s Annual meeting which was held at Adventure Aquarium along the Camden Waterfront.

“Buy Camden 1st is more than a new initiative. It’s a movement, one that supports our City’s great, resilient and diverse local small businesses and helps them grow by encouraging large corporations and institutions to commit to buying goods and services from Camden-based businesses first,” Carstarphen said in his announcement.

The two-pronged approach to Buy Camden 1st includes building a searchable online business directory where key information on the City’s small businesses can be found; and, securing the support of Camden’s corporate sector and anchor institutions to use the directory for their purchases. 

“Now, large businesses and institutions, and their employees, will have a place to find Camden-based small businesses that can provide them with specific goods and services,” said Carstarphen. “These organizations have told us they want to buy from Camden-based small businesses but needed a comprehensive and dependable resource to find them.”

Every small business in the city that wants to be part of the movement has the opportunity to get listed in the directory by completing a form found on BuyCamden1st.com.  

“We’re inviting all city small businesses to participate, like those that want to sell their cakes, flowers, t-shirts, chocolates, and catering services to corporations and institutions in Camden,” said the mayor.

Interested businesses can level up their capacity by working with LAEDA to become Camden Verified. This process sets apart businesses that have undergone rigorous vetting to ensure they are ready and able to meet the needs of corporations and institutions in the city.

The BuyCamden1st.com website provides information on Resources and Financing to help small businesses; and eventually will include information on procurement and purchasing opportunities by businesses in the city.

Buy Camden 1st has been endorsed by numerous community organizations in the city, including:  Haddon Avenue Business Association, Parkside Community and Business in Partnership Inc., Camden Community Partnership, Center for Family Services, Camden Lutheran Housing Inc., Downtown Camden Business Improvement District, Heart of Camden, Hopeworks, Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society, and The Salvation Army Camden Kroc Center.