In the coming months, the city of Whitefish will embark on a campaign to encourage local spending and bolster support for our shops, restaurants and lodging establishments in Whitefish.

Last spring, 84 percent of Whitefish voters overwhelmingly agreed to increase our resort tax by 1 percent to secure our water supply for future generations with the Haskill Basin conservation easement. While we are fortunate to have help from our visitors in the peak season, support for local businesses who collect the resort tax is now even more important.

Spending your dollars locally now has greater meaning because the dollars you spend in Whitefish support the values we embrace as a community.

Our locally-owned businesses are the backbone of Whitefish and allow us to be able to invest in the amenities that define our community.

Our downtown is vibrant. The businesses along Highway 93 South, Wisconsin Avenue, and Highway 93 West complement our downtown, and by working together as a community, we have created a synergistic economic model that works well for all of Whitefish. But Whitefish will only remain special by locals supporting our merchants who collect the resort tax.

Local spending means that everyone who shops and dines here is safeguarding drinking water, outdoor recreation, and the spectacular scenic backdrop of Whitefish — not to mention assisting with road repairs, our local parks, and keeping property taxes down. Purposely spending dollars in Whitefish enhances the quality of our special town.

This fall and winter, please step up and shop locally with purpose and pride. Help our locally-owned, locally-served businesses thrive so the fabric of our community remains strong.

— John Muhlfeld is the mayor of Whitefish