DRFA brings local vision to life.

The Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Tourism is celebrating a significant windfall after securing $16,500 in funding for its upcoming “Shop the Hinchinbrook Way” community gift card program.

The substantial grant, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will allow the chamber to take its Go Local initiative “to the next level” as it strives to support local small businesses.

Chamber President Rachael Coco said the committee and project sponsors were “elated at the outcome, which promised to bring short and long-term benefits to the Hinchinbrook business community”.

“We are so grateful for all of the support this project has received, as it enables us to offer a sustainable gift card program with additional marketing funds to celebrate the ‘Go Local’ ideals that the chamber embodies” said Ms Coco.

“Now, more than ever, local businesses need our support and it’s so exciting to be in the position to make a real difference in our community,” she said.

“We thank the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the Small Business Recovery Advisory Council in particular for helping secure this funding.”

The community gift card program, to be launched in time for Christmas shopping, will allow locals to purchase gift cards that can be spent at any participating business in the Hinchinbrook Shire, keeping money in the local economy.

The program will give recipients flexibility and choice that the chamber hopes will combat online spending and leakage to metropolitan areas and large multinationals.

The marketing campaign will include the installation of three “Go Local” displays in Ingham’s CBD in addition to traditional advertising that reinforces the many benefits of shopping locally.

Tracey Castles, President of Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre (HCSC), said her board believed that the Shop the Hinchinbrook Way project aligned with their vision to create a connected and resilient community and their mission to meet social and economic aspirations through the empowerment of individuals and organisations.

“The board believes this partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our organisation to increase our exposure in a new sector of the community” said Ms Castles.

“We will be unashamedly promoting our new branding and championing our organisation throughout” she said.

Ms Castles said the program, which had also attracted local sponsorship, aimed   to include all businesses in the shire.

The “Shop the Hinchinbrook Way” community gift card program will be launched at TYTO Conference & Events Centre on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

-Ends-

For Media Enquiries please contact Chamber President Rachael Coco on 0414 698 610.