"I Did My 50!" Now it's your turn.

Which three Bluffton businesses would you miss if they closed their doors?

To celebrate Community Banking month in April and to draw attentio to the importance of local businesses, First National Bank employees are unanimously committed to supporting local, independent businesses by their support of something called The 3/50 Project.

This initiative, started by a Minneapolis, Minnesota, business owner in March, 2009, was created to build loyalty and increased revenue for independent, locally owned businesses and relies on a simple message: "Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy."

According to The 3/50 Project (the350project.net), for every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 remains in the local economy. In contrast, only $43 of every $100 remains local when spent in national chains, and little or no local revenue results from online purchases.

So, during the month of April, every FNB employee has committed to picking three local businesses and spending a total of $50 as a way to keep money in the community, support local business owners, and help local communities thrive.

Todd Mason, President and CEO at First National Bank, said, "Community banks thrive because they work hand in hand with local business to strengthen local economies.

"First National provides financial resources to local business, those businesses generate revenue and jobs locally, and the jobs and revenue created allow people in our communities to enjoy a better quality of life.

"The 3/50 project and the commitment from our team fits perfectly with our corporate mission and is a testament to our employees who have taken it to heart."