January
2021 is here and we are still working through the pandemic. The Hartford
community is strong as it continues to find ways to support one another and its
local businesses. Small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic as
covid-19 cases rise, however, community members now have an added incentive to
spend their money in local stores. A program called the Hartford Dollars acts
to promote community recovery efforts by directing consumer spending in
participating in small businesses that can really use their support right now.
Covid-19 has been putting pressure on us all but we must find creative ways to
adapt and do what we can to stay safe while caring for our community!
The
Hartford Dollars program was initiated by the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce
and a local nonprofit called
Vital Communities. Using a Restart Vermont
Regional Marketing and Stimulus Grant from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and
Community Development, this program allows shoppers to get twice their value if
they shop local. This program had its first run in October with great success
and now a second promotion of “Hartford Dollars II” is available. They are
selling $17,000 of Hartford Dollars to folks who will shop local and distribute
the money back into the community. Coupons are provided online for shoppers to
purchase and those coupons are worth double in participating stores. You can
either purchase $15 or $25 of Hartford Dollars worth $30 and $50 in-store.
These coupons can be used through February 28th. Please check out the list of
participating businesses here, at
“Hartford Dollars”. Do note that the dollars
may not be used to purchase alcohol, lottery tickets, firearms, cannabis,
tobacco, or used on tax and tips. You will also need to use the full amount of
your coupon at one time because there will be no change given.
The
Hartford Dollars program has had a significant positive impact on the community
of Hartford and the elevation of the local economy. Encouraging the Upper
Valley residence to buy from locally owned businesses is a focus for the Vital
Communities nonprofit. This focus has helped shape a culture that allocates
money back to the community up to 4 times that of larger chain stores (see
here: study). Especially now during the
pandemic, it is even more important that folks help support the small business
they love and help them get through these difficult times. Many Upper Valley
shops have been struggling so keeping those dollars circulating close to home
when it might be easy to go to a chain store is a real show of solidarity.
As
we are all reinventing ourselves to adapt to the pandemic there is comfort in
seeing the ways in which the Hartford community continually shows up for each
other. The Hartford Dollars II is one factor that not only brings fiscal
support but it is also a sign of goodwill and emotional support as well for
businesses who love their community. Every little bit helps and it is a great
opportunity for families who are looking for ways to be more thrifty during
this time! For more information and to purchase your Hartford Dollars click here.