specializing in innovative, practical solutions Buy it Local, LLC focuses on helping local communities develop creative economic development solutions in a complex world.  Our professional experience in the fields of consulting, business and economic development provide us with a special understanding of your challenges and with skill sets to craft unique solutions for your specific needs.   Formed in 2005, Buy it Local not only provides consulting and project management services, but also creates unique solutions and products for local communities when a compelling gap in the market exists.

Who do we work with? elected officials- local, state, federal | program directors | economic development organizations | Chambers of Commerce | community development corporations and districts | foundations | other not for profit groups | universities & colleges | private industry groups  |  merchant collectives & associations  |  others

Our History Buy it Local has been advising and creating proprietary solutions since 2005. Buy it Local builds on proven experience in consulting, business and economic development. President and CEO Amy Walker Cherry has worked on a national level with numerous clients in developing competitive community based solutions. As Chief Economic Development Director for the City of Chattanooga and Mayor Bob Corker, Amy helped develop and lead strategic efforts achieving national recognition.  In her capacity, she helped direct the master plan development, create the brand and target market analysis for Enterprise South- now the industrial site and home to Volkswagen's US Manufacturing Headquarters announced in July 2008.  Other significant economic development projects Amy directed include: the development of regional technology strategies and tactics;  recruitment of technology and knowledge based industries and programs;  development of state policy for implementation of federal Renewal Community Tax  incentives;  creation of high speed computing networking alliance between a national laboratory, city and university for regional economic development advantage;  creation of a multi-million dollar  loan fund for minority-owned and women-owned businesses;  turnaround strategy development for regional air service; facilitation of numerous public-private partnerships  and other downtown urban revitalization programs.      Amy Walker Cherry  has over fifteen years experience in developing community based strategies and public - private ventures in health care, community banking, economic development and local retail.  Amy has served as a Chief Economic Development Director,  Vice President of Strategic Services in banking and Senior Advisor and Consultant to CEOs and elected officials across the Southeast.  Her expertise is in creating strategies that help cities and community based programs and businesses achieve competitive success.    Most recently, Amy has created and led the development of a public-private partnership in the formation of  50+ merchant network and gift card program aimed at supporting retail in a city revitalization corridor.   Amy has an MBA and MPH from University of Louisville and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

consulting - management services - products