MANSFIELD — Save your receipts, Richland County. It might pay big to shop small this month.
The “Save Small Business” contest, cosponsored by the Richland County Chamber of Commerce, Destination Mansfield and Downtown Mansfield Inc., will be offering the chance to win Visa cash gift cards to customers of the county’s small businesses.
In order to enter, residents must support a small business in Richland County, then take a photo of a receipt and submit it on the chamber’s website. Any small business is eligible for the contest, including restaurants.
At the end of the month, winners will be drawn to receive Visa cash cards with values ranging from $20 to $250.
Jodie Perry, president of the Richland Area Chamber, said that there is $1,000 in prize money available. The contest is sponsored by Spherion of Mid Ohio.
The rules for the challenge include:
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For every $20 you spend at a Richland County small business between June 1 – June 30, you will receive an entry into the prize drawings.
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You can visit our businesses as often as you wish, but your entries are capped at $500 per transaction.
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For smaller transactions, you may put several together to add up to $20.
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To enter the contest, you must provide the Chamber with a copy of your dated receipt, with the business name on it along with your name, address, phone number and email (to be used to contact you in case of winning).
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One person may not win more than one prize.
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Chamber staff, and their immediate family members are
not eligible to win prizes. -
Entries must be received by midnight on July 2, 2020 to
be eligible for prizes. -
Entries may be submitted throughout the month at
www.richlandareachamber.com, or via mail at 55 N.
Mulberry St; Mansfield, Ohio 44902. -
Prize winners will be announced on the Richland Area
Chamber & Economic Development Facebook page on July 3, 2020.
In addition to the random drawings, one $50 Visa gift card will be awarded to the person who supports the most area small businesses in June and one $50 Visa gift card will be given to the person who supports a small business in all ten of the county’s municipalities.
Lee Tasseff of Destination Mansfield said the contest is designed to support small businesses, but also to remind people that the economy has mostly reopened.
“Businesses are open and are opening. Things are starting to return to normal, as least as best they can,” he said.
“Small businesses are the life of our community and local economy. Not only do they employ residents and reinvest in the community, but they provide a sense of place and connection that enrich our quality of life,” said Jennifer Kime, CEO of Downtown Mansfield Inc.
The Save Small Business contest is just one component of the Richland County STRONG campaign. The Chamber will also be hosting ribbon cuttings “reopening” each county municipality.
“The purpose is just to draw attention to each community and draw attention to the businesses that are here,” Perry said. “This is a chance for the elected officials to welcome their businesses back and encourage residents to come and shop at the businesses in their community.”
The Chamber will also be selling Richland County STRONG T-shirts. Proceeds from the shirts will support the Chamber as well as a loan fund to help area businesses. The shirts are available for purchase on the Chamber’s website.
