A big boost to the members of the South Cariboo Chamber Commerce (SCCC) is the $100,000 worth of Chamber Bucks purchased by 100 Mile Lumber, a division of West Fraser Mills Ltd.
"Over the past two or three years, money has been accrued through our safety-incentive program," says 100 Mile Lumber general manager Rob Baron. "We are closing the program and were looking at a number of choices in what to do.
"The company is not used to blowing their own horn, but we felt the chamber bucks were not only beneficial to the community but also to our employees."
Traditionally there is a catalogue the employees look through to choose an item, Baron says, but this year the company approached SCCC to see if they were interested in providing this level of incentive.
Chamber Bucks were distributed to 175 current employees and retirees who were involved in the safety-incentive program.
"This is a huge boost to our chamber members," says SCCC manager Lisa Carr.
"We can't thank West Fraser enough. It is very much appreciated."
The Chamber Bucks program was started to encourage 100 Mile House and area residents to shop locally, and are available at the chamber office. They may be used as a gift or reward to friends or employees, Carr says, and they can be spent at one of the participating businesses.
"It was a real shot in the arm for local businesses and a show of faith to the chamber from West Fraser," says SCCC president Vern Peever.
He adds the purchase of Chamber Bucks is good news for the local economy, which has been tough lately, and it reinforces local businesses supporting local businesses.
"This keeps the dollar rolling inside our town, and has increased our chamber membership. It was a fun project, Peever says, adding the Chamber Bucks are uniquely Cariboo with local imagery.
Chamber Bucks are only available to chamber members and there is a small administration service charge. Carr says redeeming them is easy for the businesses, which can either e-mail or fax in a redemption form and then she'll come to their place of business with a cheque.
For more information, call Carr at 250-395-6124, or visit the website at www.southcariboochamber.org, which also has an updated list of businesses that accept Chamber Bucks.