#Loyal2LocalChallenge aims to inject money into Atlantic Canadian economy
For the second year in a row, Atlantic Credit Unions are incentivizing its employees to buy local.
The challenge will see every single employee in Atlantic Canada get $25 to spend at their favourite local store.
"The #Loyal2LocalChallenge is a national initiative from credit unions from across the country in support of our local small businesses,” said Kate Steele, brand marketing specialist.
"Our hope really with the challenge is to support those small businesses that really need our love right now."
"I know personally I am going to spend mine at Birch and Anchor,” said Payton Conrad, Atlantic Credit Unions' community impact coordinator.
“One of my employees and I are going to go out and get some pizza and maybe a couple beverages."
Last year, the challenge injected $67,000 into the region's economy. This year, they’ve surpassed their goal of $80,000.
"It really is just to be able to give back to the community during these times of COVID,” said Conrad.
"Some of the local businesses had to shut down, for sometimes an extensive period of time. and we just want to be able to support the local economy as much as we can."
After a difficult year, the initiative is something the local business community is happy to see.
"I think it's fabulous because as a local small business owner I think it's great that people are putting out an initiative to support small business because during the pandemic it has been difficult at times. So, the more community spirit we can get the better,” said Jenn Service, owner of Souper Duper Soup in Dartmouth.
"Lots of people individually weren't necessarily hurt because of the pandemic, but I don't know of a single business that wasn't impacted through this,” said Paul MacKinnon with the Downtown Halifax Business Association.
The challenge kicked off July 15 and runs until August 15. But the initiative isn’t just for credit unions and their employees.
"We're encouraging folks to spend at their favourite local store or shop and post their purchase, or post their experience tagging the small businesses under the hashtag loyal to local challenge,” said Steele.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.