City of Lancaster Launches Shop and Dine Gift Card Program as Part of Ongoing Local Economic Stimulus Package
Persons Spending $300 or More Within
The City Can Receive a $30 Gift Card
The City of Lancaster today launched the Shop and Dine gift card portion of its ongoing Local Economic Stimulus Package. Under the program, persons spending $300 or more within the City can turn in their receipts to City Hall and receive a $30 Shop and Dine gift card. The gift cards are as good as cash at any of hundreds of participating Lancaster merchants.
The program is just one of more than twenty which make up the City’s aggressive Local Economic Stimulus Package, expected to generate $110 million dollars of economic activity within the city and surrounding region. On March first, the City introduced its Vehicle Registration Rebate Program, which rebates the registration fees to buyers of new automobiles and motorcycles purchased within the City. Together, these two programs are expected to account for 20 percent of the total stimulus package.
The Shop and Dine gift card program was kicked-off in downtown Lancaster at Aven’s Furniture, one of the hundreds of merchants which have opted-in to participate in the program. “Our sales have been off for the better part of a year, so we’re looking forward to the increased traffic this program will bring to our store,” said Bob Turner, owner of Aven’s Furniture.
“We’ve designed the Shop and Dine program to keep funds circulating within our city. The gift cards can only be spent at Lancaster businesses, and studies have shown that people will typically spend 140% the value of a gift card. Our local merchants are excited about the program,” said Lancaster City Manager Mark V. Bozigian.
“I really appreciate what the City is doing to help during these challenging times. By encouraging people to shop locally, they’re helping save jobs and supporting the local tax base,” added Duke Bloom, owner of Duke and Slims, another participating merchant.
The Stimulus Package includes a number of other programs, including the creation of a new Convention & Visitors Bureau to help promote more tourism. The City also plans to launch a special bonus program for commercial and industrial real estate brokers who lease or sell existing vacant space. Under this program, qualified brokers will receive a one percent bonus commission on such sales, or two percent on leases.
The City has also been accelerating a number of important infrastructure projects, rehabilitating scores of foreclosed homes, and moving forward on construction of two new parks and a new Lancaster Museum and Art Gallery. These efforts are resulting in a number of opportunities for local engineers, contractors, sub-contractors and craftspeople.
“All of us on the City Council are proud and excited about this stimulus package. City staff presented us with a plan which is timely, temporary, targeted and demand-driven. We’re only a month into implementing the plan, and we’re already experiencing very good results. The auto dealers have been reporting increased sales, and now every business in Lancaster can benefit. We’re looking forward to rolling out additional programs as the year progresses,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
Both the Shop and Drive and Shop and Dine programs are limited to one per household.
For a complete list of Shop and Dine participating businesses visit www.ShopLancaster.org.
For additional information, call (661) 723-6128.