Washington Chamber and Fareway team up to support local business

WASHINGTON - Local businesses in Washington could be receiving an extra $50 thanks to a partnership between the Washington Chamber of Commerce and Fareway.

Michelle Redlinger, Chamber director, said the Fareway corporate office set aside $200,000 to give away to help local businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19. It contacted the state Chamber of Commerce Board to see about teaming up with local Chamber's in order to support local communities.

'It's something the Fareway corporate initiated and they wanted to use it in the local communities of the local stores,” she said.

The gift cards can be used anywhere and for any purpose, she said.

'They really have full discretion to use it how they need it best,” she said.

Washington received 40 gift certificates valued at $50 each to hand out to local businesses, she said. Together with the Washington Fareway manager, 40 businesses in the area have been identified as recipients.

'These businesses were from a list of Chamber members that Fareway selected as ones they identified they would like to help,” she said, adding a couple of non-chamber members made the cut as well.

Restaurants, salons and other businesses who have been closed the longest were the first ones identified for the funds, she said. With multiple businesses having reached out already, Redlinger said she is hopeful a second round of gift certificates can be sent out soon to help even more community members who are struggling.

'It's just one small way we can help them because they have bills to pay and no money coming in,” she said.