DAYTON — Tea Party Exchange founder Donald Hutchinson’s website touts the advantages of using “local, tea party owned” small businesses. But when he needed a database programmer for the site, Hutchinson outsourced the work to India.

Hutchinson whose politically conservative exchange has become increasingly controversial since his rollout last week, said he sees no conflict in promoting American companies while using an Indian programmer.

“I designed the website myself. However my programmer is outsourced,” said Hutchinson, president of Washington Twp.-based Essex HR and Associates. “Local database programmers are welcome to talk to me.”

Last week the web pages at www.teapartyexchange.org said “Website Outsourced to DESIGN Web Graphic,” an Indian web-design company. On Friday, Internet bloggers picked up on it, with some criticizing and others supporting outsourcing. By Monday the website had been changed to say “Website by: DESIGN Web Graphic, USA.”

“I’m not opposed per se to people outsourcing, but your outsourcing something that’s supposed to promote local business, that seems hypocritical,” said Dayton blogger Steven Saus, who began the internet blog discussion on his ideatrash.net.

Hutchinson said he changed the name on the website because he now has a partnership with the Indian company and will be offering website services. DESIGN Web Graphic officials in India could not be reached Monday.

Also on Monday, Hutchinson said a discount would no longer be available to consumers who participate in the exchange. He said it caused too much confusion about the intent of the program.

The Tea Party Exchange is designed to link conservative consumers and businesses, which then donate to a Tea Party organization 5 percent of sales made to those customers who show a TPX-Great American card. The businesses pay Hutchinson at least $150 annually to participate. But backlash from customers is causing companies to withdraw. Democratic Congressional candidate Joe Roberts is encouraging people to call the businesses to let them know if they are uncomfortable with the their participation in the program.

Dayton Tea Party President Rob Scott said thus far his non-profit group has received $30 from the Tea Party Exchange.

On Monday owners of Reiber Cleaner and HouseMaster Home Inspections and Radon Testing said they asked Hutchinson to remove their names from his website, leaving just over two dozen member companies

“I’ve had probably 60 to 80 people come to me and say they aren’t going to come to me anymore,” said Patti Ballachino, owner of Reiber Cleaners, a family-owned business in Kettering.

“I’m not into politics a whole lot,” said Ballachino, who said she was not familiar with the Tea Party when Hutchinson convinced her to participate. “He stated you could get more business, everybody in this group will come to you.”

Since she paid Hutchinson $150 on July 1 she has had a customer use the TPX card just twice — and both times it was Hutchinson. Instead of gaining customers Ballachino said she has been overwhelmed with the negative response.

“I want to apologize to my customers,” Ballachino said. “I’m here to clean their clothes, not worry about politics.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.