The $10 for $50 program presented by the Washington Chamber of Commerce and the City of Washington is up and running. The program aims to continue to promote shopping at locally owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to restrictions, many businesses can no longer have shoppers in their doors, but they can offer online shopping, curbside delivery, and some carry-out services. Chamber Director Michelle Redlinger says it’s important to continue to shop locally, “From the Chamber’s perspective, the majority of our members are smaller businesses that are locally owned, and those pockets may not run as deep as far as being able to weather a couple of months of being closed and having no income. So, by having the community rally and find ways to still support them is really important for the [businesses] as they navigate these difficult times.”

So, people who spend a total of $50 at Washington area businesses can send in photos of their receipts to then receive $10 in Chamber Bucks. The information can all be submitted on the Washington Chamber of Commerce’s website.

The promotion excludes gas, utilities, tobacco products, medications, gambling, and alcohol. It can be applied to food for pick up or delivery, groceries, purchasing gift certificates to use later, or online purchases at local retailers. Receipts must be dated between April 1st and May 31st, or until the allocated $15,000 has been used.

The funding is coming from monies received from the Washington Hotel Motel Tax. To submit information for the program click here.