Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Brown

The Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce (PSCC) is helping shoppers get a head start on the Christmas gift-giving season.

The PSCC is launching a Local Gift Card Program this month that allows customers to purchase goods and services at any business in the region that is a member of the PSCC. The gift card is also acceptable at non-PSCC member businesses that opt to join the program.

“We’re very excited about the Local Gift Card Program,” said PSCC Executive-Director Debbie Brown. “It’s for members and non-members and it can be used in multiple locations.”

Brown said the program includes about 250 participating businesses in Martensville, Warman, Osler, Dalmeny, Langham, Hague and other communities in the region.

“It’s very convenient, it helps get people out into the community, and it supports local businesses,” said Brown. “The way it works is quite simple.

“People can purchase a Local Gift Card at the PSCC office in Warman and then use it at any participating business in the region. You’ll be able to buy clothes, food, gas, and other goods.

“For example, Grandma can come into our office and buy a $100 Local Gift Card for her granddaughter.

“Granddaughter can use the card when she buys new clothes. The retailer simply swipes the card in the POS (Point of Sale) terminal and the money goes into the retailer’s account, just like a debit or credit card. There is no additional fee for either the retailer or the customer.”

She said PSCC member businesses are automatically included in the program as part of their $190 annual membership fee. Non-PSCC member businesses can opt into the program by paying a fee of $149 annually.

Similar local gift card programs are well-established and used by local chambers of commerce across BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“Business owners love the program,” said Brown.

She said the PSCC Local Gift Card Program wallet-size plastic cards will be available to purchase by the end of October at the PSCC office on Klassen Street in Warman.

The card will have both the PSCC logo and the ‘Local Gift Card Program’ logo.

The initiative is slated to be up and running by November 1.