The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Supporting local businesses has the potential for a payoff thanks to a new campaign by the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce. 

Office Manager Melody Jordan Reese said "I wanted to do a shop local campaign that encourages action rather than a nice sentiment. You know, have people out there, enjoying our local shops that we know and love."

The city of Sweet Home offered $800 for winners who enter, which they can do by supporting local participating businesses.

For example, buying a large pizza from Spoleto's counts as completing one color block, as does ordering the special at The Point. There are 16 participating businesses, and those who wish to enter can pick up a game board at any of the businesses or at the chamber. 

To enter to win, participants can upload a screenshot or receipt for each completed action on a color block to the chamber website: sweethomechamber.com/localopoly. There are eight "color blocks" and a winner will be chosen for each who will win a $100 cash prize. 

Jordan Reese suggested going straight down the list of businesses to try to win all the prize money. 

"Friends of the Library and Sugar Vibes are really close together, you can grab the books and grab some doughnuts," she suggested. Other options include taking a photo with a Apple Tree Real Estate sign and posting it to social media, getting an oil change with $10 off at O&M Point S Tire and Auto Service, or buying a 16 ounce drink at Coffee Hut and getting a second for free.

The game runs until March 12, and participants can play as many boards as they'd like to win.