No surprise, it’s tough out there.

We’re all trying to make ends meet. We’re all looking for ways to stretch our consumer dollar. That just got easier in Renton.

Renton businesses are embracing the campaign, “Shop Renton, Buy Ahead of the Curve,” and its CurveCard. I hope that consumers will do the same.

The campaign is broad geographically – the Renton area, including Fairwood – and the deals are broad, too. The CurveCard says it: Shop, Dine, Play.

In and around Renton. In other words, shop locally.

For businesses, it’s simple. They post the Shop Renton decal on their storefront, promoting that inside shoppers carrying the CurveCard will get a discount or special offer of the merchant’s choosing.

For consumers, it’s simple, too. Just look at the front page of today’s Renton Reporter. There’s the CurveCard. Put it in your wallet (it’s not sticky) and pull it out to take advantage of the deals it promises whenever you see the Shop Renton decal on the business storefront.

The Renton Reporter isn’t the only place to score a CurveCard. Watch for them at the Seahawks training camp, the Return to Renton Car Show and Renton River Days. It’s no secret that those popular summer events draw thousands of people – including many who don’t live here – to the city. They are looking for a place, well, to shop, dine and play.

Make no mistake, this is a significant campaign. It speaks to the need to help our businesses survive and thrive in these tough economic times. Carefully thought out and planned, the Shop Renton campaign brings together some key players concerned about Renton’s well-being.

The campaign is sponsored by the Renton Reporter and the Renton Community Marketing Campaign – the City of Renton, the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton School District, Renton Technical College, Valley Medical Center and Renton Visitors Connection.

Luckily, Renton is an easy sell.

Let the shopping, dining and playing begin.