Supporting Local Business & Boosting Regional Economy!
Scenic Rim Regional Council aims to boost local businesses and support the regional economy with the launch of Shop Scenic Rim gift cards, now available to purchase and redeem in participating local businesses.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the Shop Scenic Rim gift card program is designed to bolster the region’s economic fight-back after COVID-19 and recent weather events.
“The Shop Scenic Rim gift card program is a simple way for our resilient community to support local,” he said.
“The gift cards will keep money circulating in the community, prompting shoppers to patronise local businesses and allowing participating businesses to capitalise on the loyalty of our close-knit communities and enthusiastic visitors.
“With every $100 spent locally providing at least a $180 benefit to the local economy, the gift cards are a fantastic way for our local community to support our local businesses.
“Using a closed loop EFTPOS-based system, the distinctive green and white gift cards can be purchased at select local businesses or online, and then spent in participating local stores, meaning all money spent is injected back into the Scenic Rim region’s economy.
“Shop Scenic Rim gift cards are perfect for that hard-to-buy-for person, for employee rewards and incentives, or as raffle prizes and fundraising initiatives. I encourage everyone to embrace the program as every dollar spent on Shop Scenic Rim gift cards is money that stays in the local economy, supporting businesses, local jobs and the community,” Mayor Christensen said.
“Modelling conducted using the .id economic impact model has shown that $500,000 in sales within the retail sector of Scenic Rim supports five local jobs.”
Assistance for the Shop Scenic Rim gift cards program is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) Exceptional Circumstances package made available after the 2019 Queensland Bushfires.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the initiative gave a much-needed boost to the regional economy.
“After enduring COVID-19 and severe weather events, and now rising cost of living pressures, the Shop Scenic Rim gift cards are a great way to help people get out and about and enjoy what the local retail sector has to offer,” he said.
“Initiatives like these bring the community closer together, which is such an important aspect of recovery.”
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said purchasing local products and services was an effective way to get behind local businesses, their staff and the wider community.
“It’s a win – win when you spend locally, not only do you get a quality product, but you also know you’re investing in the local economy through staff wages and suppliers,” Minister Farmer said.
“The Shop Scenic Rim gift card program has a wonderful range of participating businesses and is a great way to help get those valuable businesses back on their feet and growing again.”
Division 3 Councillor Virginia West said local businesses should capitalise on Council’s investment in the program’s establishment and ongoing technical and marketing support.
“For businesses signing up to participate in the Shop Scenic Rim gift card program, it is free, quick and easy, and I am so pleased that many Canungra businesses have already jumped on board,” she said.
“When we shop local with Shop Scenic Rim gift cards, the buck literally stops with us.”
The Shop Scenic Rim gift card program forms part of the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025 which strives to build a sustainable and prosperous economy in the Scenic Rim.
To purchase gift cards online and for a list of participating businesses, please see Shop Scenic Rim – Scenic Rim Regional Council
For more information about the Shop Scenic Rim gift card program, or for businesses to register to participate, please contact Council’s Regional Prosperity team on 07 5540 5111 or at prosperity@scenicrim.qld.gov.au.