RelyLocal founders Steve and Megan Ramsey of Bend, Ore., believe so much in the strength of small town economies that they’re spending the next several months driving more than 18,000 miles to promote their message.

One of their first stops was Colorado, where they celebrated the ribbon cutting for the RelyLocal Littleton campaign Sept. 22. The idea is new to Littleton, but already has a presence in more than 550 communities in the United States. It’s a Web-based initiative that seeks to connect local people with local businesses and keep money circulating within a town, instead of going elsewhere.

“RelyLocalLittleton is a company to make your business stronger, to make your economy stronger,” RelyLocalLittleton chief Sharlene Briggs said.

The project’s website, www.RelyLocalLittleton.com, offers a directory of Littleton-based businesses and services. By getting residents to spend their money locally, the campaign aims to increase tax revenues, create jobs and bolster the city’s economy. The website also has a job board, printable coupons, a calendar of networking events and resources to help small businesses compete.

The Ramseys came up with the idea for RelyLocal a little more than a year ago, when they tired of hearing about the economy’s poor performance. While walking in the downtown area of Bend – which is ironically centered on Wall Street – they came to the conclusion that the key to a sustainable economy is buying local. If a small town’s economy is strong, there’s little need to worry about national woes.

“Without a healthy Main Street, there is no Wall Street,” Steve Ramsey said, referring to the larger Wall Street in New York City.

Since then, their start-up business has exploded. They launched more than 50 local campaigns after only a few months, and most recently reported 325 percent growth in the second quarter of 2011.

RelyLocal outposts also exist in several other metro Denver locations, including Broomfield, Parker and Highlands Ranch. The Littleton ribbon cutting was held at Old Mill Brewery in historic downtown and attended by a plethora of local business owners and South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce representatives.

RelyLocalLittleton already has dozens of business listings. A one-year partnership is $300, which gets companies a full-page listing, coupons, online referrals, social media advertisements, sponsorship, access to events and communication outlets.

For more information, interested individuals can contact Briggs at sharlenebriggs@relylocallittleton.com.