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The Murwillumbah business community is being called upon to support a move to encourage locals to shop local through a new program entitled Why Leave Town.
Jointly launched by Council, the Murwillumbah District Business Chamber and Tweed Tourism Company, the free Why Leave Town gift card program is designed to keep money within the local community by encouraging people to shop locally.
The initial program on the Tweed is being rolled out in Murwillumbah, with businesses invited to register now.
Using an EFTPOS-based system, shoppers can purchase a gift card at a ‘load up store’ where they can put money onto the card – anywhere between $10 and $1,000. Details of participating stores and where you will be able to ‘load up’ will be released in coming weeks.
This card can then be used to make purchases of goods or services at participating stores within Murwillumbah.
This means every time a card is purchased and loaded up, the money stays local.
The Why Leave Town cards can be purchased for use as gifts for family and friends, raffles, competitions, prizes or incentive rewards in the workplace or just for everyday use.
As an added incentive, shoppers in the program could win prizes at the end of the year.
Businesses would have access to generic monitoring to see just how much money is recycled through the town.
Murwillumbah District Business Chamber President Nick Moran was enthusiastic about the program and looked forward to it beginning in the town.
“I encourage businesses to come on board with this great initiative. It comes at a time when the community can really help out by keeping their spend local,” Mr Moran said. |
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“Anything to keep money in the town’s economy is a good thing, that’s why the Chamber is so supportive of the buy local Murwillumbah program.”
Founded in Narrabri in 2007, the Why Leave Town program has expanded to 60 different communities with more than 150,000 cards sold.
More than $11.5 million has been loaded onto cards with more than $11 million injected back into local businesses participating in the program.
It is predicted that for every $100 spent, it has a local impact of $180.
To become involved all businesses need to have is an EFTPOS machine with WLT purchases carried out like a normal EFTPOS transaction.
To get involved in this program or to find out more, contact Council's Economic Development Officer Kym Kranen on 0417 786 535 or email kkranen@tweed.nsw.gov.au. To register, visit whyleavetown.com/register.
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