"Buy Local" Ordinance: Salinas, CA
The City of Salinas, California developed this ordinance to ensure that public procurement policies give clear preference to local businesses. The ordinance is focused on defining a local preference in contracting for equipment, materials, supplies and services.
This model ordinance contains the following components:
- Definition of “bidder”
- Definition of “eligible local provider”
- Description of budget threshold and project type eligible and not eligible for the application of the local preference policy
- Procedure for applying the local preference policy
This document provides a good example of a city’s efforts to use its public procurement policies to increase the market for locally-owned businesses. The language is lucid, the approach financially rational and the intent clear. This ordinance will be useful for sustainability officers, economic development staff and elected officials seeking to provide support for locally-owned businesses in their communities.
