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Business & Tech

Chamber of Commerce Offers 'Gift Checks' to Help Keep Money in Community

Gift checks can be used at participating Saline area businesses like money orders or given as gifts.

The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce is offering residents a unique way to help keep money in the Saline community. People can now purchase ‘gift checks’ from the chamber office and use them at any participating member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Director Larry Osterling came up with the idea for the gift checks; he wanted to help local businesses and people in the community. The program is administered by the chamber, and recipients can use the checks at any business that is a chamber member. 

“When we create a new check, we include with it a brochure that has a list of all the participating Chamber members. It helps the consumer find a business where they want to use the check; it also helps the businesses as one more way to get their name in front of the consumers,” said Chamber of Commerce Project Coordinator Mary Alice Smith.

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The checks, which can be created in amounts up to $100, can be made out like a money order or to a specific individual to be given like a gift card. Recipients can use the check for any dollar amount and will receive the difference back in cash.

“Instead of buying an individual gift certificate at a particular place, people can buy a gift check that can be used at multiple places throughout Saline.  (The recipient) can pick out where they use the gift; it’s all encompassing,” said Smith.

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The check can be used in a multitude of ways. It can be used by the purchaser, given as a gift or, as already happens in certain places, can be used as an employee incentive program. Anyone interested in more information or to purchase a gift check can stop by the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce at 141 E. Michigan Ave.

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