Residents might be hearing about a new Burlington County program in the near future that wants to promote local businesses. The county has created a program called Shop Burlington County First, which encourages businesses and residents to shop local.
Moorestown Township Council was given a presentation on the program at the Monday, March 9 meeting by Dave Wyche, a shared-services coordinator for the Burlington County Office of Economic Development and Regional Planning under the Burlington County Bridge Commission. He urged residents, businesses and officials to make a pledge to shop local and give the buy-local program a try.
“If you were to spend $10 more a month in a local business, it would create a $20 million boost to the local economy,” Wyche said.
Started in 2013, the program’s goal is to encourage businesses to sign up and get residents to shop at local stores. It’s been a slow start, which is why Wyche came to the council meeting to try to spread the word.
For a business to be accepted into the program, the only financial requirement is for it to be a part of the local business association. The Moorestown Business Association has already accepted the program, so members are encouraged to join. They just need to go to the website at shopburlingtoncounty.com and sign up as a member. When a business signs up, it is automatically put into the directory on the Shop Burlington County First website.
Wyche is also encouraging the public to be a part of the program. Members of the public can visit the website and sign a pledge to support local businesses. All they need to give is their name and email address. Every Monday, those who sign up will receive an email of the week’s Spotlight business. This business is featured on the website and offers a special discount or offer at the business. As of last week’s meet ing, there were 820 pledges.
New to the program are Burlington Bucks Cards. It is the same as cash, but in the form of a gift card. Each card is worth $10 and can only be used at the businesses in the Shop Burlington County First program. When the money is used, the program reimburses the business.
“They make great gifts,” said Wyche, who gives them to his son to use in town.
The Moorestown Business Association has about $500 in Burlington Bucks Cards and there is a list online where you can purchase them as well. There are also window signs available for businesses that say they sell them there.
Members of the council seemed in favor of the program.
“Great program. Thanks,” Deputy Mayor Phil Garwood said.
“I will remind everyone at the Moorestown Business Association meeting to get into the directory,” Mayor Victoria Napolinto said.
In other news:
• Members of the public came before council during the workshop portion of the meeting to discuss their thoughts on the parking meters and kiosks. Robert Paglee came before the board giving it an example of when kiosks had failed. He discussed his ownership/operation of a large commercial building in Mt. Holly during the 1990s and how the parking meters and kiosks installed, and subsequently removed, affected his property and damaged many businesses. He is in opposition to kiosks being considered, feeling they would wreck the Moorestown business district just as he witnessed the wreckage they invoked on Mt. Holly. No decision yet has been made on the kiosks or meters.
• Council unanimously approved an ordinance on second reading authorizing Moorestown to join the Burlington County Energy Aggregation Program, which is expected to save Moorestown residents a minimum of 5 percent in energy costs.
The next Moorestown Township Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall with a 7 p.m. workshop.
