LOXTON and Waikerie residents are being encouraged to spend thousands of dollars’ worth of local shopping vouchers before they expire on December 31.
The District Council of Loxton Waikerie issued $200,000 worth of vouchers for the community to spend at local businesses dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
The initiative allows residents to exchange $25 for five $20 vouchers which can be spent in Loxton or Riverland West chambers of commerce.
However, with $11,000 yet to be spent, Loxton Waikerie CEO David Beaton urged locals to use the vouchers to help stimulate the local business community.
“If there are people who haven’t claimed those vouchers, we would encourage them to come and do so,” he said.
“But those who already have need to make sure they’re spent by the end of December because, as a stimulus, we want it into the local businesses as quickly as possible.
“The whole idea is to get that money into the local economy.”
Loxton Chamber of Commerce business and events manager Sonya Altschwager said the council’s voucher system had been “fantastic” for local businesses.
“Our businesses are quite familiar with the voucher system because the Loxton Chamber of Commerce runs a similar initiative and, to date, we’ve sold $400,000 worth of vouchers, which is money spent straight into our local businesses,” she said.
“So, when council launched their voucher system we were really excited because that meant there were more opportunities for people to buy local.
“It’s an incredible injection, especially this year when we’ve had forced closures, as well as people going through financial difficulties.
“It boosts business confidence around the town, and it’s also a great confidence boost for the residents themselves.”
Ms Altschwager encouraged locals to snap up the remaining vouchers before the program finishes.
“Definitely take the opportunity to go and buy these vouchers and… help local businesses put together a last push to make it the best year that we can,” she said.
The vouchers are limited to one per household and can be collected from either the Loxton or Waikerie council offices.