$16.5k shot in the arm for gift card program
HINCHINBROOK Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism members are celebrating after securing $16,500 in funding for the upcoming Shop the Hinchinbrook Way community gift card program.
The grant, jointly funded by the federal and state governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will allow the chamber to take its Go Local initiative “to the next level” to support the region’s small businesses.
Chamber president Rachael Coco said the committee and project sponsors were “elated at the outcome, which promised to bring short and long-term benefits to the Hinchinbrook business community”.
“We are so grateful for all of the support this project has received, as it enables us to offer a sustainable gift card program with additional marketing funds to celebrate the Go Local ideals that the chamber embodies,” Ms Coco said.
“Now, more than ever, local businesses need our sup
port and it’s so exciting to be in the position to make a real difference in our community.
“We thank the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the Small Business Recovery Advisory Council in particular for helping secure this funding.”
The community gift card program, to be launched in time for Christmas shopping, will allow residents to buy gift cards that can be spent at any participating business in the Hinchinbrook Shire and help keep money in the local economy.
The program will give
recipients flexibility and choice, and the chamber members hopes it will help combat online spending and leakage to metropolitan areas and large multinationals.
The marketing campaign will include the installation of three Go Local displays in Ingham’s CBD in addition to traditional advertising that reinforces the many benefits of shopping locally.
Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre president Tracey Castles said her board members believed the Shop the Hinchinbrook Way project aligned with their vision to create a connected and resilient community as well as their mission to meet social and economic aspirations through the empowerment of individuals and organisations.
“The board believes this partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our organisation to increase our exposure in a new sector of the community,” Ms Castles said.
“We will be unashamedly promoting our new branding and championing our organisation throughout.”
Ms Castles said the program, which had also attracted local sponsorship, aimed to include all businesses in the shire.
The Shop the Hinchinbrook Way community gift card program will be launched at TYTO Conference and Events Centre on Thursday, November 12.