Chamber Encourages Residents to Choose Local, Except When Tuscany Is Available
CHEHALIS, WA — The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce is preparing to remind Lewis County residents about the importance of keeping their money close to home, just as soon as everybody gets back from Tuscany.
According to the Chamber’s 2026 event schedule, its nine-day “Chamber Travel: Tuscany!” trip is scheduled for Oct. 20 through 29, conveniently wrapping up just before the organization’s “Choose Local Holiday Promotion Campaign” begins in November.
The timing will allow participants to return from Florence, Pisa, Siena, the Chianti region and several other Italian destinations with a renewed appreciation for the economic importance of spending money within a 10-mile radius of Centralia.
The Chamber’s Choose Local program encourages residents to support area businesses rather than sending their dollars elsewhere, noting that local merchants face stiff competition from online and out-of-area retailers.
Fortunately, the policy apparently contains a geographic exemption for medieval hill towns, Tuscan vineyards and anywhere serving authentic Chianti.
The Tuscany excursion includes airfare, seven nights of first-class hotel accommodations, guided sightseeing and stops throughout the region. An optional two-night extension to Rome is also available for travelers who feel nine days outside Lewis County does not adequately demonstrate their commitment to the local economy.
Upon returning, residents will once again be encouraged to avoid purchasing Christmas gifts from businesses located outside the community.
Chamber officials have not indicated whether purchases made in Florence count toward the Choose Local campaign, although economists generally agree that Tuscany is not currently considered part of the greater Chehalis retail corridor.
Still, the arrangement gives local shoppers a simple rule to follow heading into the holidays: support Lewis County businesses whenever possible.
Unless, of course, Italy is available.
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