More than 100 businesses in the Greater Hume Shire have signed up to the council’s new Buy Local initiative from the council.
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The campaign encourages residents to support retailers, suppliers and professional services.
Shire executive assistant for economic development Margaret Killalea said community support has been nothing short of outstanding in the campaign's infancy.
"The thing that has been amazing is the diversity and interest across all sectors of the campaign," she said.
"We have physiotherapists, a long-time egg producer, and a large scale manufacturer in Kotzur engineering on board.
“The list is extensive."
Mrs Killalea said when the concept was presented there was overwhelming support to move it straight into launch mode.
"A number of representatives and councillors from the business community said to move it straight into launch," she said.
"Former Rio Tinto CEO John Ralph threw his full weight behind it, along with others like Andrew Kotzur."
Head of Godde’s Farms Mr Andrew Godde said his business ran farming services and supplied grain and fertiliser to farmers around the area.
“We sell to local farmers and buy their crop from them at harvest time,” he said.
“I see buy local as an important thing, and businesses simply would not exist if money is not invested.”
Mrs Killalea said social media reaction had been particularly pleasing, as the council had only recently launched its Facebook page.
"The liking and sharing on the platform demonstrates that the community are on board and relate to the initiative and strong brand," she said.
"It is a tool of measurement that has been outstanding in terms of level of response.
“We had over 60 businesses express interest straight away on being involved in stage two."
Mrs Killalea said that the "multiplier effect" of buying local would be a long-term investment into the region and some of the major towns of Henty and Culcairn.
"Whether it is a cup of coffee or lawnmower, the rewards will go around five times before it's exhausted," she said.
"There is real strength in drawing on a grassroots community campaign.
Mrs Killalea hoped for some brand exposure at the upcoming Henty Field Days.
She said it was an event the community was “very much entwined in”.
She stated a $5000 launch allowance from the council helped ensure every business involved in Buy Local had a sticker or shop decal to display.
“We ticked a box on brand image,” Mrs Killalea said
