A hugely-successful initiative, which injected almost $1 million into the Singleton economy, has been deservedly praised.
The Spend in Singleton gift card program, instigated by Singleton Council and Business Singleton, took out the top gong at the 2023 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards this week.
The unique and convenient gifting solution, which involved more than 140 retailers, won the Support Local Enterprise category.
By ensuring local dollars remained within the LGA, it netted a tick over $998,000, through 16,000 loaded gift cards.
Council’s acting director organisation and community capacity Alison Bodiam said the initiative had delivered significant benefits to Singleton businesses.
“Spend in Singleton is a fantastic program worthy of recognition,” she stated.
“But, the real achievement is how our community has taken it up and chosen to spend their dollars locally.
“More than a shop local scheme, Spend in Singleton has been a catalyst to activate local expenditure, develop resilience against multiple economic impacts, provide community support and educate Singleton’s community to re-connect with local business.”
Initially driven in response to feedback from enterprises seeking to recover from the 2019-2020 bushfire impacts, the gift card initiative was developed through COVID-19 and five flood events during 2020-2022.
In fact, Spend in Singleton is the fifth most successful program from 80 operational in NSW.
Business Singleton president Danny Eather admitted the concept was an overwhelming success.
“Our partnership with council has enabled a local support program that has exceeded expectations and has brought benefits to more than 140 local business,” he said.
“We’re extremely proud of what it’s achieved and humbled by requests from other business chambers on the partnership model and program.”
Council’s award-winning Shark Tank initiative, a proactive approach to eliminate or minimise risk across council’s many business activities, was also a finalist in the Risk Management category of the awards.
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