Chamber allows shoppers to apply twice
In an effort to increase participation, shoppers are now eligible to apply twice to the byHaines Shop Local and Save program.
That means if consumers spend $600 at local businesses on nondiscretionary spending, they’ll receive four $50 vouchers at participating stores.
Chamber assistant director Andrew Letchworth said only about 100 people have participated in the program so far and they’ve opened it up to additional spending with the hopes of increasing participation.
Last year, the borough funded two rounds of the program, first in October and again in November-December. Forty-four businesses participated. The first round closed 13 days after residents spent more than $60,000 locally. The second round generated $160,000 of local sales in just a week.
“The more people participate, the more it will benefit the local economy,” Letchworth said.
The program is limited to 450 participants.
The Bookstore owner Amy Kane said most of her customers have been unaware that the program was going on. Her store benefited most in prior rounds.
Organized by the Haines Chamber of Commerce, Haines Economic Development Corporation and Haines Borough, the program will distribute CARES Act funding to eligible residents in the form of vouchers for local businesses. The program could generate $180,000 in spending at local businesses. The program has generated roughly $60,000 so far, Letchworth said.
The Haines Borough Assembly unanimously voted in September to allocate $50,000 in CARES Act funds for this year’s program. Ten percent of that funding will go towards administrative costs. The rest will be distributed as vouchers.
To receive vouchers, shoppers must upload their receipts on the Chamber or HEDC website after Nov. 1. An opt-in form for interested businesses can be filled out at https://www.haineschamber.org/by-haines. Shoppers can also turn in their receipts at the HEDC or chamber offices. The offices will be closed Nov. 24-26.
Businesses will be reimbursed by the Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 2 for the cumulative value of the vouchers they dispense.