[OMS_MANAGERS] Main Street Shop Debit Cards

[Lise Grato]

In Albany, we use wooden nickels called “Downtown Dollars” which we started for a promo 5+ years ago. They were worth $1.The problem is they often don’t get turned into us. Either the recipient keeps them as a souvenir or possibly the merchants re-spend or gift them and the “Dollars” circle around Downtown. We originally issued them as $1 and added a $5 version which has helped some. The debt sits on our books, and we keep having to order more. The Albany Farmers’ Market has the same problem with its market tokens.

Albany Area Chamber has “Chamber Dollars” which are checks that the merchant deposits.

We’ve considered adding a gift card program.

Lise

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Charlie Mitchell
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2024 1:24 PM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Main Street Shop Debit Cards

We have a Yiftee program in Polk County among Dallas, Independence and Monmouth.

On Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 12:59 PM Jacobs, Christopher <Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov<mailto:Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov>> wrote:
I’ve done this before in other communities with Yiftee: https://www.yiftee.com/demo


Sent from my iPhone


On Jul 25, 2024, at 12:08 PM, City Club Forest Grove <cityclubofforestgrove at gmail.com<mailto:cityclubofforestgrove at gmail.com>> wrote:


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Hello,
Do any of your cities have "debit" or "gift" card system which is agnostic that you distribute/sell that can be used for your downtown shops and restaurants as a way to increase local spend?  I have heard of gift cards specific to cities which are sold to residents specifically to encourage residents to spend their dollars in their own towns.

Thank you,
Donna Gustafson, President
The City Club of Forest Grove
Check out our new Community Calendar<https://www.cityclubfg.com/events>
Become a MEMBER<https://www.cityclubfg.com/services-7> to support downtown improvements, events, enhancements, preservation and take advantage of membership perks. Let's Grow Together.


Disclaimer: This e-mail message is a public record of the City of Corvallis. The contents may be subject to public disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law and subject to the State of Oregon Records Retention Schedules. (OAR:166.200.0200-405)


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Sincerely,

Charlie Mitchell, CEcD
Economic & Community Development Director
City of Dallas
charlie.mitchell at dallasor.gov<mailto:charlie.mitchell at dallasor.gov>
503-831-3565
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