Monday, Nov. 02, 2009

Shopping in O'Fallon could payoff

The City of O'Fallon and O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce are partnering together in an effort to encourage area residents to spend money in O'Fallon. Individuals who shop locally are eligible to win cash and prizes through the initiative "It pays to buy O'Fallon," which kicked off Nov. 1.

"Consumers have a choice where to shop," said Debbie Arell-Martinez, director of O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce. "They can choose to go outside of town, choose to shop on the Internet or choose to shop locally."

Approximately 40 cents of every dollar spent in O'Fallon stays in the city, according to Arell-Martinez. "When you buy local, you are keeping people in jobs and keeping businesses open,” she said. "You're strengthening the business community and the community as a whole."

The idea for this initiative came from a similar promotion the Monroe County Economic Development Committee did in July.

"It was quite successful (there)," Arell-Martinez said, and the chamber’s Economic Development Committee decided to do something like it in O'Fallon.

Monroe County's program only lasted a month, where O’Fallon’s will last two months through the end of the holiday season Dec. 31.

"It's been a rough year," Arell-Martinez said. "A lot of small businesses are struggling, and this was a way to give them a boost during the holiday season."

City Administrator Walter Denton said partnering with the chamber for this was project was a natural choice.

"Particularly with economy being the way it is, the city and chamber are trying to promote the local businesses and find ways to help our businesses," Denton said. "We thought this could be something that while people were shopping during the holidays if they thought a little more about where they shop it could benefit O'Fallon instead of somewhere else."

Thirteen local businesses are sponsoring the buy O'Fallon initiative so far. Arell-Martinez said she would like to bring more businesses on board as sponsors regardless of whether the business is a chamber member.

Both individuals and businesses that shop locally are eligible for cash and prizes donated by the sponsors. Every $100 spent in O'Fallon earns one entry into the raffle for the three grand prizes. The exact prizes are yet-to-be-determined, according to Arell-Martinez, who noted each will be worth at least $250.

"That amount could grow as more sponsors come on board," she said. "We would love to have huge prizes to give out at the end."

Most purchases and bills paid in O'Fallon are eligible for the contest excluding utility bills, home purchases and mortgage payments. Arell-Martinez said everything from gas to groceries count as do bills such as insurance and accounting services from an O'Fallon business. A large purchase of a car or motorcycle is eligible if an individual is willing to fill out all the raffle entry tickets.

Original receipts must be brought to City Hall, 255 South Lincoln, or the chamber's office, 116 East First St., and stamped prior to receiving raffle tickets. Receipts can be verified from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drawing is open to individuals at least 18 years of age.

O'Fallon Mayor Gary Graham will draw the three winning tickets during the city council meeting on Jan. 4 at city hall. For more information, visit the Web sites www.ofallonchamber.com or www.ofallon.org or call 632-3377.

Additional information provided by Progress editor Daniel Kelley.