Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership launches ‘Twice as Nice’ Downtown Dollars deal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 11, 2020
Contact: Meghan Behymer | Communications + Marketing Manager
mbehymer@downtownkalamazoo.org | 269-344-0795
Dollar-for-dollar match made possible by Consumers Energy’s “Our Town” initiative to support local businesses
The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is thrilled to announce its “Twice as Nice” Downtown Dollars Deal in partnership with Consumers Energy. Launching today, Friday, December 11, at 4 p.m., shoppers who purchase Downtown Dollars will receive a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a limit of $250. That means when you buy $20, you get an additional $20, doubling your spending money across 45 participating downtown businesses.
This promotion is sponsored by Consumers Energy’s “Our Town” initiative, investing a total of $500,000 to support local shopping in 55 Michigan communities. Consumers Energy has awarded anywhere between $3,000 to $40,000 in matching grant dollars to Chambers of Commerce and downtown organizations across the Lower Peninsula to encourage local shopping.
“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,” said 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.”
“This holiday season is critical for small businesses – dollars spent locally make the difference,” Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership President Andrew Haan said. “We’re thrilled to receive such generous support from Consumers Energy and encourage the community to spend their dollars in downtown businesses as soon as possible to maximize the benefit to businesses.”
The “Twice as Nice” Downtown Dollars Deal made possible by Consumers Energy’s “Our Town” effort is available while matching funds last. Purchases are limited to a maximum of $250 (a total of $500 with the dollar-for-dollar match). All bonus dollars must be spent by June 30, 2021. Dollars paid for can be redeemed until 2025. The Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is encouraging consumers to redeem their downtown dollars as soon as possible, using them for holiday shopping or purchase gift cards to individual businesses to help support businesses now.
Downtown Dollars are available for purchase at https://downtownkalamazoo.org/downtown-dollars/. Downtown Dollars work like a gift card at 45+ participating downtown restaurants, shops, and businesses. Once purchased, dollars are sent to the purchaser via email as an attached PDF. Bonus dollars are sent automatically in a separate email, also as a PDF attachment. All dollars can be redeemed electronically on your phone via QR code or printed out. Dollars can also be purchased and sent to others as a gift. Businesses may offer cash change, store credit, or may not honor change for downtown dollars – merchant policies can be verified at each participating location.
Individuals and organizations interested in bulk purchases above $250 this holiday season are eligible for a discounted promotional rate. For more information, contact the Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership at team@downtownkalamazoo.org or by calling 269-344-0795.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Consumers Energy has been committed to communities and small businesses through the pandemic. The company and its charitable foundation have provided nearly $5 million to nonprofit and economic development organizations this year in help related to COVID-19, including close to $2.5 million for small businesses.
About Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership
Kalamazoo Downtown Partnership is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization that works with both the public and private sectors in preserving and enhancing the economic health of Kalamazoo’s downtown area and, in turn, the Kalamazoo community. In conjunction with its affiliate organizations, it manages a full range of activities that include capital improvement projects, business development and recruitment programs, image marketing and event planning in order to establish Downtown Kalamazoo as an accessible, diverse, green, progressive and vibrant urban center. For more information, visit downtownkalamazoo.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or find more downtown news on our website.
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