More people in rural Oxford are being encouraged to spend their money locally with an incentive program.
The Rural Oxford Economic Development Commission is rolling out their Buy Close By program across the County.
They recently concluded a pilot project in Norwich as a way to encourage people to shop local. Residents can sign up for a punch card and they can use that card at local stores in Norwich, Southwest Oxford, Zorra, East Zorra Tavistock, and Blandford-Blenheim. Economic Development Specialist Bernia Wheaton explains how the program works.
"$10 or more or $20 or more will get your punch card filled up. When it's filled up they can put their name and address on the back of the card and drop it off at any of the participating businesses to be entered into a draw to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes."
Wheaton says you only have to spend $150 locally to be entered into the draw. Wheaton says they just wanted to find a way to encourage people to shop local.
"Help encourage people to shop right in their own community, we always encourage people to shop local but what does that mean; local for some people could be if it's made in Ontario it's local, but we want people to shop here in rural Oxford right in their hometown."
The program officially launches on November 25th.
You can find more information and see what businesses are participating online here.

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