A new community currency program, ShiaCash, aims to provide local business owners in Shiawassee County with an opportunity to restart and grow their business.
Carrie Rathbun Hawks, president of one of the many businesses participating in the program, said businesses in the area have had to pivot and be creative in order to survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“And I have seen many businesses do just that,” Rathbun Hawks of Rathbun Public Relations said. “Even though it meant tightening their belts and learning how to do things differently, it’s what’s kept our economy going as opposed to completely falling apart. The more we can support the local mom and pop shops, I think the more we’re going to recover from this — and we’re going to do it a lot faster than if we don’t pay attention to the people that are right here in our own small towns.”
Rathbun Hawks is also on the Board of Directors for the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce and said they wanted to come up with something that drives business in the area and supports local business owners.
Large employers in the county spend 2-3% of their payroll on holiday gifts, sales incentives and employee recognition, according to the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce. ShiaCash was launched with the goal of becoming a reward employers use that’s beneficial to the community unlike national brand gift cards.
Other goals of the new buy-local program include connecting local business owners with the area’s large employers, helping local businesses acquire customers and providing a new marketing tool for them.
“That just keeps our money locally within our own economy,” Rathbun Hawks said. “And then all boats rise when we do that.”
The economic impact and community development initiative was launched in partnership by the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, Owosso Main Street and the Greater Durand Area Chamber of Commerce.
Theresa Trecha, owner of Capitol Bowling, another business participating in the new program, said she heard about ShiaCash from Owosso Main Street. She said the best part about it is the advertising it brings to employers in the area looking to give their employees an appreciation award.
“We’ve got a lot of people that work in the county that don’t live in the county,” Trecha said. “A lot of those folks, they work and then they go, and so in order to maybe get those people to take advantage a little bit of what the town has to offer — that’s a great way to do it.”
ShiaCash can be purchased through an online portal with local branding and used only at participating merchants. Currently participating ShiaCash merchants include Capitol Bowl, Rathbun Public Relations, Maurer Heating and Cooling, Funny Pages, Miss Mallie’s Sweets and Treats, Shaw’s Pharmacy, Hass Vision Center and Photography by Jody L. Roethele.
“I’d like to see as many merchants and organizations participate as possible,” Rathbun Hawks said. “The more we have participating, then the businesses and the people who are buying the ShiaCash have a lot more to offer their employees, their family members or whomever they might be buying the ShiaCash for.”
Accepting ShiaCash doesn’t require upfront costs, specific software or equipment. Local business owners will receive 92% face value of the currency from the program, with the other 8% going to administrative costs and processing fees. Payment will be sent every two weeks in return for redeemed certificates.
“It’s a great co-marketing promotion, really,” Trecha said. “It doesn’t require any business to work a deal with anybody. It’s just we agreed to accept this money and those folks can spend it wherever they like with whoever participates, so that’s a pretty good deal.”
Businesses in Shiawassee County can become a ShiaCash merchant by filling out this form.
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