WEST JORDAN -- The frustration over the Jordan School District split continues. Dozens of teachers rallied at the Capitol Wednesday in protest of possible mass layoffs, and now a group of citizens living within the Jordan District boundaries is calling for another strategy.

Mi Ranchito owner Arny Sifuentes says he values every customer who orders one of his famous tacos or burritos, whether they live near his restaurant in Sandy or not. "Everybody is welcome to come here from any side of the valley," he says.

They all may be welcome, but if a group from just across the Jordan River has its way, anyone from the west side will find a west-side Mexican restaurant instead.

"Your spending matters. Let's keep it at home," says Paul Pugmire, president of the South Jordan Chamber of Commerce.

Pugmire is also one of the founders of the Shop West. It's a group formed by west-siders left frustrated after the ugly Jordan/Canyons school district split. They're encouraging anyone living within the Jordan School District to shop and dine within the district's boundaries.

"This is something we can do that will affect the long-term economic stability and growth in our part of the valley," Pugmire says. He says they're not going after sales tax dollars, which don't really have an impact on Jordan's financial woes, but instead their efforts are aimed at the big picture.

"Over time, as the tax base grows, as the businesses on the west side become more stable, become more stronger; as they grow, their tax base will grow," Pugmire explains.

Although the Shop West encourages people to keep their money within the Jordan School District boundaries on the west side, Pugmire insists this is not a boycott of east-side businesses.

"It's not that anymore than the ‘Buy Utah' program is a boycott of Wyoming or Idaho," Pugmire says. "We are suggesting that people understand what it is their dollars mean when they plug those dollars into the economy."

But after already battling a bad economy, that's not the way business owners, like Sifuentes, see it.

"They can probably find some other way to fix problems, but damaging business; I don't think is the way," Sifuentes says.

Shop West is also hoping its actions will send a message to lawmakers. The group is planning a press conference Thursday to share its opinions and goals.

E-mail: jstagg@ksl.com