PUSLINCH – Jessica Goyda wants to help consumers to help the small businesses they love in Puslinch.
Goyda, Puslinch councillor and small business owner, is looking to follow suit of Centre Wellington and Wellington North/Minto by encouraging people to buy gift cards to local businesses to use at a later date.
The mentioned municipalities had launched websites where local businesses can sign-up to be a part of the shop local initiatives. This helps small businesses address immediate cash flow problems that many are facing being closed by the pandemic.
“We have many independently-owned small businesses, as well as industry here in Puslinch that have been terribly affected by this pandemic,” Goyda said in a phone call. “Many of the small businesses here in Puslinch are owned by residents of Puslinch and they all contribute a lot to our community.”
Since this idea was first introduced, Goyda has heard from many interested businesses. What’s surprised her so far she said is how the pandemic hasn’t left any type of business unscathed.
“There’s not one place that hasn’t been affected negatively somehow from all this,” Goyda said. “As a business owner myself, I really want to try and do something where we can all collaborate together.”
Goyda stressed that there is no concrete plan yet, she is working with town staff to get OSiM Interactive, the company who developed the websites for Centre Wellington and Wellington North/Minto, at the next council meeting as a delegate.
She said she hopes OSiM works with them because they’ve already developed a system for this. Goyda is hoping to get this up and running quickly but doesn’t want to speak on behalf of township staff. With no economic development staff at the township, they need time to work on logistics and cost.
“We’re a much smaller municipality than Centre Wellington and much fewer staff working,” Goyda said. “The workload on the staff is already heavy with everyone working from home and everything that is happening with COVID-19.”
Goyda said she sees this as a good opportunity to show people how and who they can help in Puslinch.
“There’s a lot of people who want to support local businesses but they sometimes may not realize how to do it or what those businesses are that need help,” Goyda said. “I think this is a way to help consumers help businesses they want to help.”
The more businesses Goyda hears from, the more well-equipped she will be to present to council. She encourages any interested Puslinch businesses to contact her by email.
