Renae Simonson, rural Austin, was the grand prize winner in the first drawing of the Buy Mower/Grow Mower campaign, the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce reported.

Simonson won a gas grill, donated by Sears, at the conclusion of the 2008 Mower County Fair.

Five other area residents who took the pledge to Buy Mower/Grow Mower won $25 in Chamber Bucks.

About 500 people stopped by the Chamber’s booth at the county fair to take the pledge to shop locally.

The campaign cites the benefits of shopping locally, and asks residents to shift 10 percent of the money they currently spend out of town back to businesses located within Mower County.

The Chamber estimates that such a shift in spending would provide a $20 million boost to the local economy.

“We were pleased with the initial response, and the genuine interest so many people have in supporting local business,” said Sandy Forstner, executive director of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce. “These people understand that everyone wins when you shop locally.”

“It’s easy, convenient, saves gas and time,” he added. “But even more importantly, shopping locally helps build our communities and improve everyone’s quality of life.”

“We still have a long ways to go — this is a long term effort — and we hope many more residents will join in by taking the pledge to buy more often in Mower County,” Forstner concluded.

People can take the pledge by completing a form, available at many businesses throughout Mower County, or by registering online at ibuymower.com. Those who do earn a chance to win monthly prize drawings.

The next drawing will be Sept. 8 for $100 in Chamber Bucks.

The five $25 winners included Sara Burkhart, Cindy Jax, Kris Iverson and Bree Phillips.