Junction City, KS: The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce (JCACC) is thanking the community for their outstanding participation in the PowerUpJC Business Support Program, as well as the generous organizations who sponsored the program. Those include the City of Junction City, Geary County, Central National Bank, Godfrey’s Indoor Shooting & Archery Ranges, Hometown Insurance Agency, and Eagle Radio.
The JCACC, along with their PowerUpJC partners joined forces and found a way to support Junction City/Geary County businesses. Nearly every small business in the county has been economically impacted due to this global pandemic. The level of economic injury may vary, but they have all been negatively affected.
With the purchase of a gift card to a participating business using the JCACC website a matching gift was made by PowerUpJC doubling the amount of each gift card purchase. The goal was to offer a valuable incentive to the consumer, infuse the business with cash flow, and help the local economy.
In a matter of four hours the program had maxed out the $11,000 fund with matched purchases. This equates to a total of $22,000 being devoted to local small businesses throughout Junction City-Geary County.
The Chamber staff are elated by the positive involvement from the community and surprised with how rapidly funds were exhausted. Due to the encouraging response from the community, we would like to “recharge” and continue PowerUpJC.
“We are so very thankful to be able to participate in such a wonderful event, one that comes in a time of such need for small businesses and families. Our customers were so excited that several set events and reminders to be able to take advantage of PowerUpJC! Which I think shows how great the need was for an opportunity like this, along with the fact matching gift certificates selling out in just under 4 hours! I am definitely JC proud and I have not seen another community be able to offer something similar in their communities," said Beverly Davis, the owner of Magnolia's Boutique.
Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Fornaro-Dean said, “The response to PowerUpJC was terrific. We thank our sponsors for their support in stepping forward to show local businesses we care. The Chamber and its divisions appreciate these are challenging times for everyone and the more we work together the better off we all will be. We have had questions regarding if we will have a second round of PowerUpJC. The answer is we would love to…but funds are needed to recharge the PowerUpJC program. If you are willing to support this program with a second round, please contact the chamber so we can discuss.”