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Shop Local, Business Owners Say At Somerton Expo

About 50 businesses and organizations from Yuma, Somerton and San Luis joined up for networking at the 7th Annual Somerton Business Expo at the Cocopah Casino in late September.

Industries such as media, real estate and clothing stores were represented and the overall message for the day was shop local and be rewarded.

Michael Martinez, manager for the 24/7 Get Fit gym in the Yuma Foothills, said events like the expo are great for local business owners to support one another. 24/7 Get Fit also has locations in Somerton and San Luis.

"We're all locally owned," Martinez said. "You don't have to worry about spending your money and having it go somewhere else. Everything is going to be reinvested here in the community."

Stephanie Pereda, the executive director for the Somerton Chamber of Commerce, said the expo helps grow the local economy.

"We should shop from (locally-owned businesses) because they have really good services and products to offer the community," Pereda said.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.