Consumers Energy doubles down on the popular Buy Local Buy BC gift card program

A gift card program intended as a stimulus for the small businesses of Bay County has proven so popular since its launch just a couple weeks ago that it’s already sold over $25,000 worth of gift cards.

That program, Buy Local Buy BC, developed by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Bay Future Inc., commits $5 for every $20 gift card sold by a participating business. This means that consumers can purchase $25 gift cards to locally-owned small businesses for $20.

Now Consumers Energy is getting on board. The public utility bolstered Buy Local Buy BC with its own Our Town program.

For every $25 gift card purchased through the original program, Consumers Energy gave customers an additional $25 gift card. Customers received a $50 value for the cost of $20. The program, which began Dec. 9, sold out in an hour.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the communities we serve, and every community has seen those businesses feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer experience.

“With ‘Our Town,’ we want to end the year by spreading cheer. We are putting dollars directly into shoppers’ hands to help them stretch their budgets and give a boost to shops and restaurants in their hometowns.”

Even though the Our Town promotion is exhausted, that doesn’t mean the Buy Local Buy BC promotion is over. Gift cards are still available and can be purchased and redeemed online, as well as in-person. The full amount does not have to be used at once. And multiple gift cards can be used toward one larger purchase.

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