Chesapeake Bank’s fifth Shop Local Day returns to the Middle Peninsula next month. The semi-annual program encourages residents to spend their money at local, independently-owned shops and restaurants.

The grassroots campaign was launched in the fall of 2012 by Chesapeake Bank, a community bank with offices in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and Williamsburg.

“We got behind Shop Local because we’re primarily a small business bank,” states Chesapeake Bank’s President and CEO Jeff Szyperski. “We felt it was hugely important to help facilitate a shopping locally initiative in our service regions that would benefit merchants and help create a stronger tax base.

“When money is recirculated in our community, our local economy prospers, he added. “That means more jobs, better schools, and greater support for our police and fire departments and local nonprofits.” Shop Local Day will be held throughout the Chesapeake Bank’s serv...