MACOMB COUNTY – Credit unions across Macomb County are dedicating the day Tuesday to celebrating local businesses in the region as part of the CU Lunch Local program, a statewide credit union event geared toward encouraging support for area businesses.

During the daylong program, credit unions and their employees will support a local business for everything from getting breakfast or lunch to purchasing gifts for staff. Dozens of Michigan credit unions, with hundreds of employees, across the state are participating in CU Lunch Local.

“Christian Financial Credit Union employees and members are ‘lunching local’ to show our continued support for the small businesses that drive our economy forward,” said Christian Financial Credit Union Marketing Manager Rebekah Johnson. “Employees at each of our branches have committed to either order in or visit a local restaurant for lunch on Oct. 16. We’ve armed our staff with a list of local restaurants to support that day, and in addition, the credit union will reimburse employees up to $10 for ‘lunching local’ and sharing their experience with others.”

Patty Campbell, President/CEO of Christian Financial CU will be join Bill Beardsley President/CEO of Michigan Business Connection for lunch at the Majestic Café, a landmark restaurant in Detroit with a long business partnership with CFCU. 

CU Lunch Local aims to raise awareness about the importance of supporting local small businesses across Michigan. Studies show that money spent at local businesses tend to stay in the community and a greater percentage of every dollar spent is recirculated at the local level when compared with non-local businesses. CU Lunch Local is sponsored by Michigan CU Capital, a credit union organization formed in 2011 in collaboration with Michigan Business Connection, a commercial lending CUSO.

Other Macomb County credit unions are also celebrating local businesses through CU Lunch Local. Motor City Co-op CU in Clinton Township is picking up breakfast and lunch from small bakeries and restaurants located near each office and branch. ARC Credit Union in Roseville and Central Macomb Credit Union in Macomb are also participating in CU Lunch Local.

David Adams, CEO of Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates said: “Michigan credit unions support small businesses in so many ways, including business lending that helps create jobs and turn the state’s economy around,” “This is an opportunity to show everyone just how big the credit union commitment to small business really is.”

“CU Lunch Local is a powerful way to illustrate the credit union commitment to small businesses and the real proactive difference credit unions make to the communities they serve,” MBC CEO Bill Beardsley said. “Every dollar spent makes a difference when it goes to local business, and no one knows that better than our credit union community.”

Cash mob events are similar to flash mob events, but with one key difference. Instead of dancing in the street, people who participate in cash mob events spend money. Their goal is to support local businesses and encourage others to buy local. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, dozens of credit unions from all around the state will commit to dine, shop, or buy local.

To learn more about the event visit MI CU Capital’s Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/MICUCapital.

About MI CU Capital

Michigan CU Capital is a shared symbol of credit union commitment to serve Michigan business and create awareness of the credit union industry's capabilities in business lending. Credit unions believe that working together to help their business members and their communities succeed by providing them with financial support is a critical part of their mission. Michigan CU Capital is a collaborative approach that enables even more credit unions to promote their successes. Founded in late 2011 and powered by Michigan Business Connection (www.mbcloans.biz), MI CU Capital promotes the credit union difference. To learn more about MI CU Capital visit their website at, www.micucapital.com or their Facebook page at, www.facebook.com/MICUCapital.