Community Phone Book To Create Jobs for Returning Veterans

The initiative, entitled “American Hometown Heroes,” will provide professional marketing advice and consultation to any returning veteran that would like to start a new business — all at no charge to them! This program includes a comprehensive no-cost advertising program in both print and online Yellow Pages for an entire year. Santa Barbara Community Phone Book will provide the complimentary service in the Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley and Lompoc Valley markets.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among military veterans is nearly double the national average as many return home to find the current state of the economy offering limited job support and business opportunities. These statistics are expected to get worse as many of the troops are expected to return home over the next few months and years.

“Every year, thousands of American men and women put their lives on the line so we may enjoy the freedoms and democracy that make our country so great,” said Mike McGill of the Santa Barbara Community Phone Book. “This program is one way we can give back – by helping them start a small business in their own hometowns. Small businesses are the largest job creators in America, and the Yellow Pages are the best way for a small business to get started.”

According to a survey conducted by Burke, a leading independent marketing research firm, in the last year alone 84% of people across the U.S. used either print or online Yellow Pages, rating it as the most trusted and accurate source they choose. Added McGill, “It is important to note that no trees are cut down to make paper for today’s yellow or white page directories. 100% of the paper is derived from a combination of recycled post-consumer waste and fiber derived from sawmill waste.”

The president of the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, Steve Cushman Stated the following “As a veteran, I am delighted to help the independent publishers with their most worthy “American Hometown Heroes Program.” The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce is proud to have the Santa Barbara Community Phone Book as a member of our organization. We believe in this concept and honor the spirit in which it was created. The Chamber will do all that we can to both assist the program and assist our veterans. Thank you for allowing us to participate.

“Celebrities mobilized to spread the word of “American Hometown Heroes” include Bo Derek, John Corbett, Ann-Margret and Dyan Cannon.

To date, independent Yellow Pages publishers in 49 states and over 40,000 communities have joined this effort to help our military. Anyone wishing to obtain further information and a list of participating publishers across the U.S., should log on to: www.AmericanHometownHeroes.com