Buy Local

Buy Local is dedicated to increasing the amount of local goods and services that District institutions purchase from businesses located in Memphis.

The Medical District has a rich cultural history and is home to iconic buildings like Sun Studios, Bass Pro, and the newly renovated Wonder Bread Factory – now Orion Financial Credit Union’s HQ. What connects these buildings are vibrant neighborhoods filled with businesses created here.

Why Buy Local?

Keep the wealth where it matters....our neighborhoods.

At MMDC, our Buy Local program focuses on local and diverse non-capital spend opportunities.

LOCAL: Businesses HEADQUARTERED in Memphis. Local does not include national companies with branch offices in Memphis.
DIVERSE: Minority and women-owned businesses.

Our partners have made a commitment to local sourcing opportunities. Through this partnership, we have seen a tremendous increase in local and diverse spend over time.

The Strategy

BUY Local Marketplace

The Buy Local Marketplace is a new database where businesses can register, upload certifications, commodity codes, and soon, learn about RFP opportunities. Businesses interested in joining the database can register here.

BENEFITS:

Access to your profile to update and upload information about your business which enables buyers to locate local suppliers
Respond to RFPs and institution correspondence
Register to attend invite-only procurement events with anchor partners
Access to MMDC business support events through Hustle programming

District Purchasing Council

MMDC partners with Medical District institutions (hospital and education partners) on a District Purchasing Council that meets monthly to network, match with local/minority/women businesses, and connect to resources that support the development and expansion of businesses within Memphis and the Medical District. Participating partners include MLH, SCO, ROH, St. Jude, ALSAC, and SWTCC.

Since 2014, Buy Local has increased local spend by $22 million.

To learn more about Buy Local, please email us.

Networking Events

Buy Local organizes events and opportunities to connect local suppliers to buyers.

Join our marketplace to stay connected.

BUY Local Connect

Buy Local Connect is a new supplier diversity event series that creates connections between local suppliers and Medical District institutions. The inaugural February event focused on construction and trade construction businesses. 30 participating businesses were given the opportunity to network and connect, join breakout training sessions, receive feedback through Greet & Pitch sessions, and more. UTHSC, St. Jude, and ALSAC identified potential future vendors, and we look forward to seeing future growth through connections made in this series. Stay tuned for the next event date and theme.

Taste of the District

This annual event is designed to create vital connections between our institutional partners and the unique food and beverage options available in the District. Thanks to all of our vendors, partners, and guests for making this event a huge success in 2020 and 2021.