Driving local economic growth with shop local programs: Success stories from El Paso and Orange

Shop local programs are more than just incentives for consumers—they’re vital tools for strengthening local economies and ensuring long-term growth. El Paso, TX and Orange, CA have embraced these programs through the Open Rewards app, each seeing significant impact in boosting small business engagement, increasing consumer spending, and building stronger community ties.

In a recent webinar hosted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), leaders from El Paso and Orange shared their experiences. The panel included:

• Klarissa Mijares, Business Services Coordinator for the City of El Paso

• Carlos Pedrueza, Marketing Manager for the Better Business Bureau El Paso

• Danielle Milloy, Economic Development Manager for the City of Orange

• Pattie Cordova, CEO of the Orange Chamber of Commerce

These experts discussed the successes, challenges, and key takeaways from their shop local initiatives, offering valuable insights for cities looking to create similar programs.

How El Paso and Orange are leading the way with their shop local programs

El Paso and Orange have implemented shop local programs designed to encourage residents to spend within their communities, ultimately driving economic recovery and resilience. Both cities have leveraged the Open Rewards app to facilitate their efforts, providing a seamless experience for users to earn and redeem rewards at local businesses. Here’s a closer look at how these cities are using Open Rewards to elevate their local economies.

El Paso: Empowering small businesses and strengthening community connections

In El Paso, the Buy El Paso program was launched with a mission to support small businesses and local commerce. According to Klarissa Mijares, Business Services Coordinator for the City of El Paso, the program has helped unite businesses and consumers in ways that encourage sustained spending within the community.

"When we launched Buy El Paso, we knew we needed to make it simple and accessible for both businesses and consumers. The Open Rewards app allowed us to achieve that—providing businesses with a low-cost, high-reward tool that promotes growth and sustainability. The feedback from local businesses has been incredibly positive, with many seeing increased foot traffic and higher sales." Klarissa Mijares

By using the app, El Paso not only incentivized consumers to shop locally but also provided businesses with a platform to enhance visibility and customer loyalty. This program has proven to be a catalyst for small business growth, creating a more vibrant and connected community.

Orange: Creating a culture of local loyalty

In Orange, CA, the Experience Orange program is making waves by integrating local businesses with community-driven rewards. The city's focus on promoting small business growth through the Open Rewards app has yielded impressive results, with Danielle Milloy, Economic Development Manager for the City of Orange, noting that the program has been instrumental in encouraging residents to keep their dollars within the local economy.

"Experience Orange was designed to create a thriving local economy by fostering a culture of loyalty. The Open Rewards app has helped us connect residents with local businesses in a way that feels personal and rewarding. We’ve seen a clear uptick in local engagement, with more people excited to shop locally and support their favorite businesses." Danielle Milloy

The program's success can be attributed to the simplicity of the rewards system and the genuine community engagement it fosters. Orange has been able to strengthen local commerce while also building a sense of civic pride and responsibility among its residents.

The power of Open Rewards: Key benefits for local communities

Both El Paso and Orange have demonstrated how powerful Open Rewards can be when it comes to driving local economic growth. Here’s why these cities chose Open Rewards and how the app has amplified their efforts:

• Seamless user experience: The app makes it easy for consumers to earn and redeem rewards without adding friction to their shopping experience. Users can see their rewards balance in real-time and redeem points at participating businesses with ease, which encourages more frequent participation

• Empowering small businesses: For local businesses, Open Rewards provides a simple, cost-effective way to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Businesses can easily track rewards, offering flexibility to tailor their own promotions and maximize the program’s impact

• Building community loyalty: Both cities have experienced firsthand how Open Rewards fosters a culture of local loyalty. By aligning rewards with community values, consumers are more likely to make purchases from local businesses, boosting sales and overall economic resilience

• Long-term sustainability: The success of El Paso and Orange shows that shop local programs, when supported by innovative tools like Open Rewards, can provide lasting benefits for both businesses and residents. By making the rewards system intuitive and accessible, both cities have created long-term frameworks for local economic development

Key takeaways for other cities

As more cities seek to implement or enhance their own shop local programs, there are several key lessons to take from El Paso and Orange:

• Start simple, scale gradually: Both cities found success by starting with clear, easy-to-understand rewards systems that could grow over time. Whether it’s introducing a straightforward rewards structure or expanding participation, keeping things simple initially helps build momentum

• Promote with purpose: Successful shop local programs require thoughtful promotion. Both El Paso and Orange placed emphasis on community engagement, making sure that residents understood the value of the program and felt excited to participate

• Measure success: The flexibility of Open Rewards enables cities to track program performance and make adjustments as needed. Regular feedback and reporting ensure that the programs are delivering results and that businesses are receiving the support they need to succeed

  
  

Conclusion: A stronger future for local economies

The shop local programs in El Paso and Orange are shining examples of how local governments can leverage technology to strengthen their economies. By embracing innovative solutions like Open Rewards, these cities are fostering stronger, more resilient communities where small businesses thrive, and residents play an active role in shaping the local economy.

For cities looking to launch or improve their own shop local programs, the insights from these leaders are invaluable. By leveraging technology, fostering community engagement, and offering flexibility, local governments can help ensure that their communities continue to grow and thrive.