Indio Shop Local Rewards Program drives community impact and economic growth

The Shop Local Rewards Program in Indio, CA, powered by the Open Rewards app, has demonstrated remarkable success in stimulating the city’s local economy and encouraging residents to support small and independent businesses. In just a few months, this program generated over $1.28 million in local economic activity, engaged nearly 1,700 users, and helped shift consumer habits toward shopping locally.

In this article, we share insights from the City of Indio Economic Development Department on how the program started, how it works, and the measurable impact it has had on businesses and the community.

Indio Shop Local Rewards Program goals

The Shop Local Rewards Program was created to stimulate Indio’s local economy by encouraging residents to support small and independent businesses through a 5% cashback incentive.

The City of Indio accomplished this by launching Open Rewards, a citywide rewards platform that allowed consumers to earn cashback simply by shopping locally and uploading receipts or linking bank accounts. The program was fully city-funded and offered at no cost to participating businesses, removing barriers for business owners while providing tangible incentives to residents.

“Our goal for the program was to encourage residents to shop locally, boost sales and foot traffic for small businesses, and foster a sustainable, community-driven economic cycle that supports long-term growth in our city.” City of Indio Economic Development

Program implementation

Through the Open Rewards app, residents earn 5% cashback on qualifying purchases at eligible businesses. Rewards are city-wide instead of being tied to a single store or chain, and delivered directly to users rather than being limited to use at specific businesses, making the experience flexible and transformative compared to traditional loyalty programs. Early adopters received a $20 bonus, helping to drive initial engagement and momentum.

Further, the cashback rate could be adjusted seasonally, such as during the holidays, allowing the city to strategically boost spending when local businesses needed it most. 

For local businesses, the program offered a zero-cost marketing opportunity. Businesses were automatically enrolled in the platform, gaining visibility through the app, program landing page, and promotional campaigns, all without administrative burden.

“This combination of technology, accessibility, and community-driven incentives made the program a standout model for supporting small businesses in a modern, scalable way.” City of Indio Economic Development

The program also included robust marketing and outreach, including social media campaigns, flyers, workshops, and direct business outreach, ensuring residents were aware of the rewards opportunity and businesses were prepared to participate. 

Impact on local economy and community

Within a few months since its launch, the Shop Local Rewards Program has:

• Generated over $1.28 million in local economic activity, an ROI of 17X from the city’s investment

• Engaged 1,692 residents, with 90% stating the program influenced them to shop locally

• Benefited restaurants most heavily, with 48% of rewards spent on dine-in food and beverage

The program also delivered indirect benefits, including increased visibility for small businesses, stronger customer relationships, and improved local foot traffic. Many residents shifted their habits to shop more frequently in Indio. This behavior change speaks directly to the program’s effectiveness in building a stronger, more self-sustaining local economy.

Resident feedback:

• “This app has encouraged me to only shop in Indio, we as residents have an obligation to our city. We should keep our tax dollars in the city we reside in. I know it’s not possible all the time, but a majority of the time we can. Thank you city of Indio. This app is a nice incentive.”

• “I live in south side of Indio next to La Quinta and normally shop there but this app is making me consider driving a little further to shop Indio.”

• “I am now spending and buying more and more in Indio.”

• “I only shop with stores that are signed up with Open Rewards”

“These outcomes contributed to job retention, a strengthened tax base, and a growing culture of local support that extended beyond the program’s duration.” City of Indio Economic Development

Adaptability and scalability

The Indio Shop Local Rewards Program shows how a strategic, community-first approach can deliver measurable economic impact, strengthen small businesses, and foster long-term local loyalty.

For other communities, this program is a model that can be easily replicated, proving that smart, people-centered programs can drive real results. Its flexible, scalable structure allows municipalities to customize reward rates, duration, and outreach strategies while leveraging Bludot’s turnkey platform to launch quickly and efficiently.

“Bludot’s Open Rewards platform offers a plug-and-play solution that other cities can implement with minimal technical barriers. The program not only boosts the local economy but also fosters community pride. Residents aren’t just shopping—they’re contributing to the collective success of our city.” City of Indio Economic Development

Looking forward

Indio’s Shop Local Rewards Program has laid the groundwork for long-term community impact including follow-up initiatives like the Indio Business Connect program. The Open Rewards program is the first time that a city can leverage a city-wide rewards platform to strategically boost their local commerce and build a thriving local economy.

To learn more about how Open Rewards could support your community, schedule a demo today.