Laura Nicholson, Executive Director/CEO

The Chamber is excited to announce the launch of the "'Tis the Season to Shop Local," campaign, which features a discount card that can already be used at more than 20 Chamber businesses.

The Chamber's mission, "To create and promote a community climate where businesses are productive and profitable," is particularly important now in this very difficult economic time. Our motto for this program is, "The Buck Stays Here."

When the business community and its residents work together, we can continue to prosper this holiday season.

The discount card program works very simply. Participating businesses have window signs saying they participate in the program and telling you exactly what discount they are offering. You can purchase a card for $5 and begin earning instant rewards.

See Page 10 for a complete list of participating businesses and their discounts. You can also find the list on the Chamber's web site at www.yubasutterchamber.com where the list will be updated as more businesses are added. The Shop Local program is sponsored by Comcast Channel 19 and the Sutter-Yuba Association of Realtors and we thank them for their support.

One thousand discount cards were distributed at the Yuba City Centennial Celebration closing ceremonies and another 4,000 are now being sold at participating businesses and at the Chamber office at 429 10th Street in Marysville.

In addition, local media are partnering with the Chamber to produce radio, television and newspaper promotions about the value of shopping locally.

It is important to remember that when the business sector is strong it is able to give back to the community. It is local businesses that donate time, money, advertising, gift certificates and baskets to the hundreds of community events held each year. The business community supports every athletic program in the Yuba-Sutter area, local non-profits, including the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, and community fundraisers that range from small groups to large celebrations.

The program runs through March 21, 2009. The Shop Local Committee will then evaluate the program and how to improve and expand the program for businesses and residents.