Earlier this year, the 亚洲天堂 Lake and District Chamber of Commerce did a survey with its members asking about priorities for the Lakes District. What the chamber鈥檚 board of directors concluded was that creating initiatives to entice local shoppers was a number one priority.

鈥淎 stronger business community is good for the broader community,鈥� said chamber manager Susan Schienbein. 鈥淭hese businesses pay taxes, they hire our children, and they support many, many community and recreation events.鈥�

The chamber is now planning a few initiatives to support local businesses including a gift certificate program and a summer market. These actions are part of the chamber鈥檚 strategic plan, which focuses on promoting and supporting local businesses.

鈥淲e need a strong business community,鈥� said Schienbein. 鈥淲e really need to change the pattern of driving to another community to purchase our goods; rather, let's see what we can buy in this community.鈥�

鈥淪ome will say that we don't have enough retail stores and they are right, we could use some more,鈥� she added. 鈥淏ut investors who might be thinking about setting up shop in 亚洲天堂 Lake will talk to the local business community; if our current businesses are concerned about residents not shopping locally, that has a negative spin-off for potential investors.鈥�

鈥淪o, let's shop what we can, right here in 亚洲天堂 Lake.鈥�

Investigating the feasibility of a gift certificate program

The 亚洲天堂 Lake and District Chamber of Commerce is investigating the feasibility of starting a gift certificate program, similar to what is offered by the Vanderhoof and Houston chambers of commerce.

With this program, the chamber would print gift certificates in varying denominations such as $10, $20, $50 and $100. These certificates would be purchased at the chamber of commerce and would be redeemable at participating businesses.

Unlike the purchase of some gift cards that can be used at multiple locations, these gift certificates will have no fee for the purchaser.

Participating businesses would pay an annual administration fee to the chamber of commerce, and would bring their gift certificates back to the chamber to be reimbursed.

Chamber manager Susan Schiebein said that in order for the program to be successful, the chamber needs to have a number of businesses willing to participate.

鈥淭he program will be more successful if we have a greater number of participants,鈥� said Schienbein. 鈥淚f someone can go buy a gift certificate that can be used at 30 different businesses, that鈥檚 pretty attractive.鈥�

The chamber hopes this program will be launched during small business week (third week of October).

鈥淭hat鈥檚 well in time for the Christmas shopping season,鈥� said Schienbein.

The chamber is expecting to hear what the community has to say before any decision is made by the board of the directors.

鈥淎s soon as we have some feedback from our members and can gauge the interest, we鈥檒l consider implementing the program.鈥�

In order to evaluate how the community feels about this program, the chamber is asking community members to complete an online survey. To complete the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5JKP9QF