CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Township of Centre Wellington and the local chamber of commerce want residents to think and shop locally with the upcoming launch of www.shoplocalcw.ca.
Dana Burdenuk, general manager for the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce (CWCC), said the goal is to help business recovery in the area.
“The real goal is to flow some cash to businesses now and also help them keep their doors open,” Burdenuk said. “It’s a short and a long term strategy for us to help the businesses that we all love.”
The chamber has been helping local businesses understand and apply for government relief programs but Burdenuk said cash flow is an immediate issue.
On the upcoming website, customers can buy gift cards to redeem at a later time when businesses re-open or at open businesses offering curbside or delivery of their services.
“We want to ensure businesses that are closed right now have a way of generating future business,” Burdenuk said.
Burdenuk explained there is already a strong support local mentality in Centre Wellington and they are hoping to encourage that mindset.
“Many of our business owners are residents, members of our community and continue to need our support,” said mayor Kelly Linton in a press release. “They drive tourism and economic viability. This is our opportunity to support Centre Wellington’s small businesses, restaurants and others.”
According to a press release, businesses can still enroll with the website by completing a form at www.centrewellington.ca/shopform. Any business, artist, festival or company that sells a service, product or experience that can be redeemed later is welcome to enroll.
Burdenuk said the idea for the shop local initiative came from a close partnership with the township and is just the beginning.
“There is a sub-committee taskforce that has been set up to look at recovery and how we help businesses get back on their feet and ensure their long-term viability,” Burdenuk said. “The shop local platform is one of those initiatives but there will be other things they are going to do moving forward.”
