With “Small Business Saturday” going on today and Christmas quickly approaching, Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber launched Monday the first of many campaigns to encourage local spending. The ‘Holiday Shop Local’ contest, going on through Dec. 18, is also designed to encourage and reward one lucky ‘local’ shopper with a $200 cash prize. 

As part of the Pathway-To-A-Better-Tomorrow five-year plan, one of the Chamber’s goals is to increase local retail spending, according to Chief Executive Officer Allen Pitner. “As the past 5 years have shown great success, the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a new bold plan for the next 5 years. Three years of planning, community analysis and research have laid the foundation for the Pathway-To-A-Better-Tomorrow initiative.”

The Chamber will accept Bedford County business receipts from consumers Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 18. Receptacles will be placed by the front and back door at the Chamber Office, 100 North Cannon Blvd., for local shoppers wanting to drop off their receipts.

Each receipt must total a minimum of $25 and be a purchase from a local business. Chamber officials will draw a receipt for the cash prize on Monday, Dec. 21. 

Copies of the ‘Holiday Shop Local’ flyer are available for any business wanting to post at their location. Contact the Chamber at 684-3482 with any questions.