Local Businesses Commit to Reinvesting in the Community by Keeping Dollars Local

Lake Zurich, IL – November 22, 2019 – The LZ Area Chamber of Commerce announces the new Biz Bucks MasterCard program to make it easy and fun to keep local spending right here with our local businesses. Anyone can purchase the Biz Bucks digital MasterCard at www.shoplocalgiftcard.com, write a personal message, and send it to family, friends and colleagues digitally via email, text or Twitter. Recipients can choose to spend it at one of our participating merchants or mix it up and spend it at multiple participating locations, some of which include: Zin Gastro Pub, International Hair Designs, Long Grove Coffee, Lindberg Automotive, Mary Kay/Deb Kinne, Never Measure, Byte Outfitters and Stratus Concept LLC (and the list is continually growing).  All digital and always available on your phone, the Biz Bucks MasterCard is great for birthdays, holidays, teacher appreciation gifts, coach gifts, employee incentives or just to surprise a friend.

The LZ Area Chamber of Commerce is introducing the Biz Bucks MasterCard with a bang! The first 100 people who send the word “notify LZACC SHOPLOCAL” in a text message to 313131 will be entered to win a $50 Biz Bucks MasterCard that they can spend at any of the participating merchants including Studio One Eleven Salon & Day Spa, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Battle House Laser Combat, and more! “We are thrilled to participate in this innovative program. It was simple to set-up and we’re ready to welcome new customers. Thanks LZACC!” said Dan Migacz, co-owner of AM Woodland Outdoor Design.

Local companies are planning to use the Biz Bucks MasterCard for company-funded programs such as employee rewards, customer appreciation and marketing, which will jump start card sales right off the bat. “It’s a great way to “give back” to our community,” said Chad Dershaw, Volle’s Bridal & Boutique/Mr Tux’s Formal Wear.  “We value the opportunity to reinvest in the community where our employees live, work and play, rather than awarding gift cards where the dollars leave the area.

By supporting local businesses, more money circulates in the community through a combination of profits paid to local owners, wages paid to local workers, goods and services procured locally for internal use or resale, and charitable giving within the community. One study found that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, versus 14% for national chains. More dramatically, locally owned restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus 30% for national chains[1].

For those reasons, the LZ Area Chamber of Commerce is always seeking ways to promote local shopping, dining and gifting in our community. We have partnered with Yiftee, Inc., an eGift Card and promotions company that serves 5,000 businesses across the U.S., including other highly successful Community Cards. If a merchant accepts MasterCard, they require no additional equipment to process the Biz Bucks MasterCard,” says Claire Slattery, Executive Director of the LZ Area Chamber of Commerce. To purchase a Biz Bucks MasterCard, visit www.shoplocalgiftcard.com. To participate as a merchant in the program, please visit https://lzacc.com/bizbucks.

[1] Andersonville Study of Retail Economics, 2012, by Civic Economics.