Upper Hunter Shire and Muswellbrook Council are inviting local businesses – big and small – to participate in a free economic development initiative that is a joint collaboration between the two Councils.
The LIVE (Local investment) cards will work like an EFTPOS gift card once loaded, and will only be able to be used in the two shires, ensuring local expenditure and economic development for the region.
The project is a drought relief initiative. Australians are contributing to help those impacted by the drought with deliveries of water, feed and essential supplies. The cash donations are now able to be funneled by charities to the LIVE gift card and provided to those in need as a result of the drought.
The more participating businesses we have, the greater choice individuals will have in how to use the funds.
The cards can also be individually purchased as an option for Christmas gifts. The LIVE (Local Investment) card has been purchased by large companies as staff Christmas gifts, ensuring widespread use and a lack of stigma as a charitable aid.
The cards can be loaded with funds from $10 to $1000, can only be loaded once (no top ups) but can be used multiple times or spent all at once. They expire after three years. Purchasers can check card balances online or by phone, and registered cards can be replaced if lost.
The project will be rolling out in the week beginning 19 November 2018 and local businesses are encouraged to register to activate their EFTPOS machine to accept the cards. Council will provide participating businesses with promotional aids to advertise their acceptance of the investment cards.
Businesses can join the initiative by contacting Why Leave Town at www.whyleavetown.com or 0433 106 350 and nat.whyleavetown@bigpond.com.
Why Leave Town was established in 2007 in Narrabri and around 20 Councils and Chambers of Commerce are successfully using the program.
Further information
Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Wayne Bedggood
0419 226 551
Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Martin Rush
0437 571 184
