Orange Mayor Reg Kidd is thrilled with the response to the first stage of Council's Retail Recovery plan, with thousands of people entering the draw to win gift vouchers for local businesses.
Orange City Council launched the plan, five weeks ago, to kick-start the retail sector of the local business community by giving away one thousand $50 gift cards to use at local businesses.
The last of the weekly gift card winners were announced last week.
"The Orange community is really getting behind our local businesses as best as we can during this incredibly difficult time," Cr Kidd said.
"During the five week campaign, more than 1200 people entered the competition online, with hundreds more filling out paper entries.
"We will be eagerly awaiting data in the coming weeks to see the impact of the $50,000 injection into local businesses."
With nearly a quarter of a million dollars' worth of Shop Orange gift cards purchased recently and now circulating, it's a good time for businesses to get involved.
Signing up with the'Shop Orange card is free for any business with an EFTPOS machine. Participating businesses can be a local retailer or a branch of multinational operator with a store in Orange. For more info or to register go to the Shop Orange website.
Orange City Council Employment and Economic Development Committee chair, Cr Tony Mileto said he was pleased with the popularity of the campaign.
"The more people we can get through the doors of local businesses the better," Cr Mileto said.
"That $50 voucher might mean someone entered a specific local business for the first time and is now a long-term customer.
"Everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is some way.
"Now more than ever, our local businesses need us to get on board and support them as much as possible.
"I'd like to encourage every Orange resident to get out and be a tourist in your own backyard.
"Head out to the local wineries, cafes, restaurants, boutique shops and see why so many people are flocking to Orange to visit what we're lucky enough to experience whenever we'd like."
