Buy Local Bonus Program
Summary
The 2025 program drove nearly $750,000 in local spending from a ~$100,000 city investment, but ROI is drifting down as more participants are repeat shoppers. Staff and the committee floated raising the minimum spend or gift card value to keep the program sharp.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 14, 2026.
Impact analysis
The city spent just under $100,000 on gift cards and got roughly $750,000 in local spending back in return.
Local shops, restaurants, and service businesses, plus shoppers who score gift cards for buying local.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Promotional Coordinating Committee
The city-funded program gives shoppers $25 gift cards when they spend $100+ at local businesses during the holiday season. This year adds a one-gift-card-per-business limit so popular restaurants don't get snapped up by early shoppers, and about $110,000 of one-time economic development money is being spent again.
Promotional Coordinating Committee
The 2025 program drove nearly $750,000 in local spending from a ~$100,000 city investment, but ROI is drifting down as more participants are repeat shoppers. Staff and the committee floated raising the minimum spend or gift card value to keep the program sharp.
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