Perryville offers Chamber Bucks

By Melissa Hemmann

The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce is continually looking for ways to increase the number of dollars spent locally (especially during the holidays) and to further benefit our valued member businesses. That is why the chamber launched a "Chamber Bucks" program in 2005.

The program encourages the community to shop local by selecting from a list of more than 50 participating businesses that accept Chamber Bucks. The program provides a unique benefit to the community, as well as great publicity for participating businesses. Last year, we sold more than $80,000 in Chamber Bucks, which benefited our local economy.

Some other great reasons to buy local during the holiday shopping season are to help strengthen our economy by making your purchases from a locally owned business or independent business while keeping sales tax dollars in our community -- money spent here stays here.

Another great reason is that it keeps our citizens employed and creates jobs. And let's not forget that local businesses are managed or owned by the people who live and work in our communities, raising their families and investing in our communities' futures.

So when you're thinking of checking the much wanted items off your Christmas list this year, don't forget to shop the local retailers first. Perry County matters to you, so let our businesses know that you want them to stay in our communities.

Melissa Hemmann is the executive director of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce.