The Chamber Bucks program has long been a part of Seward County’s business community. The program is undergoing a change in 2022 – making the switch from paper checks to plastic gift cards.
The gift cards were expected to launch on June 1 in cooperation with the company Miconex.
Leanne Miller, marketing and events director for the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership, said the newly renamed Seward County Gift Card program will make it more convenient for shoppers to use the bucks and easier for businesses to accept them.
“It’s all about supporting the local businesses,” Miller said.
Chamber Bucks often are given as gifts or prizes, with SCCDP selling about $100,000 in bucks each year. Those dollars go back to member businesses.
“Chamber Bucks has been very successful, especially with large employers using the checks for their staff rewards and incentives through the year,” SCCDP President and CEO Jonathan Jank said.
Consumers will be able to purchase gift cards in the same way as they used to purchase the paper checks – by stopping by the SCCDP office at 616 Bradford Street in Seward or calling (402) 643-4189.
Miller encourages anyone planning to purchase a large number of cards to call ahead so staff can begin the process.
The cards also can be purchased online and mailed to the purchaser, adding another level of convenience.
Chamber Buck checks were available for a maximum of $25 each, “because of the cash back,” Miller said. “The business decided if they gave cash back” for the remaining balance of the check or if it deducted the used portion from the amount listed on the check.
That won’t be an issue with the cards, as a running balance will be kept electronically, similar to a preloaded Visa card or other gift card.
“This makes the gift card easy to use for both small and large purchases, without the need to worry about change being given from a check,” Jank said. “We believe this will spread out the benefit of the gift card to even more businesses and make the gift card both user friendly and attractive for businesses and customers alike.”
The cards will have a cap of $500 each and are not reloadable.
Just like the paper bucks, the cards never expire and can be used at any SCCDP member business.
Consumers should keep in mind that some communities in Seward County, including Milford, Utica and Beaver Crossing, have their own “chamber bucks” programs. Some businesses accept both the local and countywide bucks, while some only take one or the other.
SCCDP businesses will have signs to post in their windows letting people know where the new gift cards are accepted.
People in possession of paper bucks can still spend them until they’re used up.
The gift cards come with a 2-4% transaction fee that businesses will have to pay, much like they do with other cards.
Another advantage, though, is that the SCCDP will be able to track where and what people are spending the gift cards on and can then share that data with member businesses.
SCCDP expects the gift cards will help businesses that have e-commerce options, as the cards may be used for online purchases, too.
“Shop local is as important as ever. Small businesses from all sectors need our support,” Jank said. “This will help us to grow our shop local program here in Seward County.”
