Camas residents can shop local, save on utilities through new city initiative

A Camas initiative launching tomorrow aims to help the city’s utility payers and local merchants at the same time. 

The “Support Local & Save” program, based on similar efforts happening in Newberg, Oregon, will help Camas residents lower their utility bills by shopping local. 

“I challenge everyone who can to ‘Support Local and Save,’” Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell stated in a press release. “Camas merchants are doing a great job of coming up with inventive ways to offer gift cards, food, goods and services that allow residents to stay home and stay healthy. Now we can shop, dine and save on utilities.” 

The initiative begins Saturday, April 11, and will run through at least the end of May. City leaders may extend the program if Governor Jay Inslee extends his “stay at home” order meant to slow the spread of COVID-19, which shuttered the state’s nonessential businesses through May 4.

Here’s how it works: Camas residents shop at local Camas businesses and save their receipts. Residents are eligible to receive $15 off their utility bill for every $25 spent at local businesses. Residents can turn in up to $125 in receipts for a maximum utility bill discount of $75. 

All receipts must include the name of the person on the utility account as well as the account number, address and a phone number or email contact. Receipts can be emailed to finance@cityofcamas.us or mailed to City of Camas Finance Department, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas, WA 98607, or dropped into the Camas City Hall drop box, also at 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas. 

Purchases eligible for the discount include gift cards, food, goods and services. The purchases must be made (in-person or online) at a business with a storefront located within the city of Camas, but city leaders are encouraging people to “focus on their support on the small, local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The eligible discount is based on the dollar amount, not the number of receipts, so residents are also encouraged to combine receipts for purchases made at local Camas businesses and to spend money at a variety of local shops and restaurants. 

Only purchases made after Friday, April 10, will be eligible. 

For more information, visit cityofcamas.us/supportlocal or contact the City of Camas Finance Department at finance@cityofcamas.us or 360-834-2462 anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Finance staff will be able to answer questions and enroll residents currently in arrears and small businesses in incorporated Camas with fewer than 50 employees.