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Better Middlebury Partnership To Re-Introduce Middlebury Money

Tuesday December 7, 2010

This time with an even more community-oriented twist!

The Better Middlebury Partnership is excited to announce an exciting new Middlebury Money campaign, to be rolled out next week – just in time for the holidays!

    Middlebury Money was introduced by our organization (then the Middlebury Business Association) several years ago as a universal Middlebury gift certificate. As much as $27,000 worth of Middlebury Money was sold a year - sparking business for local merchants and service providers. Nonetheless, this year the Better Middlebury Partnership challenged themselves to improve the program to stimulate local spending even further.

    The organization noted that to-date Middlebury Money was primarily being purchased to give as a gift – few people were purchasing it for their own use. Bryan Phelps, owner of Noonie’s Deli and BMP board member, suggested that Middlebury Money be given a real "hook," a feature that would inspire consumers - residents, consumers, repeat visitors, even businesses - to buy Middlebury Money and to use it to spend locally.

    So, the Better Middlebury Partnership has re-conceived Middlebury Money as a tool to both generate awareness of doing business locally and to explicitly raise revenue for the betterment of our community.

    The new Middlebury Money will be sponsored by local businesses who pledge to donate a percentage of the value of all Middlebury Money sold to a special fund administered by the Better Middlebury Partnership. Gold-level sponsors, who have pledged to match 10% of all Middlebury Money sold (up to $2,000 annually), currently include rk Miles, MacIntyre Services and the National Bank of Middlebury. Silver-level sponsors, who have pledged to match 5% of all Middlebury Money sold (up to $1,000 annually), include Holden Financial Services.

    Additionally, all Middlebury businesses may enroll as Matching Partners and commit to donating 5% of every sale paid with Middlebury Money at their business. This program is designed to give community-minded individuals incentive to purchase Middlebury Money and spend it at Matching Partner businesses. Matching Partners currently include Forth n’ Goal, Noonie’s Deli, Skihaus of Vermont, Two Brothers Tavern and The Vermont Book Shop, Otter Creek Used Books, Distinctive Paint & Interiors, Belladonna, and Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op.

    Not only does every dollar of Middlebury Money stay in our local economy, but up to 15% is actually reinvested in Middlebury – for event planning, advocacy and grant writing, as well as physical improvements and renovation of historic structures. Put simply, Middlebury Money benefits Middlebury.

    Not only has the program been reconceived, but the currency itself has been updated. Thanks to many hours of design work donated by Adrienne Illick MacIntyre, the checks now feature a fresh, modern look that will appeal to consumers of all ages. Middlebury Money comes in a variety of convenient denominations, and can be used as normal currency to shop, dine and play in the Middlebury area.

    Middlebury Money may be accepted at any Middlebury area shop, restaurant or business and can be purchased at all Middlebury branches of the National Bank of Middlebury, The Middlebury Inn and The Vermont Book Shop.

    To find a current list of Middlebury Sponsors and Matching Partners, please check the Better Middlebury Partnership’s website, or look for window decals identifying participants in the Middlebury Money program.

    Middlebury Money is proudly brought to you by the Better Middlebury Partnership, a non-profit organization committed to making Middlebury a better place to live, work and do business.

    If you would like to sponsor or become a matching partner of Middlebury Money, please contact the Better Middlebury Partnership at [email protected] or 388.4126.

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