For many communities, Chamber Bucks, sometimes called community gift certificates or local currency, have been a long-standing tradition. It is hard to say how long Chamber Bucks have been around. The use of business-specific paper gift certificates dates back at least to the 1930s, with Chamber-Buck-style programs beginning to appear around the early 1990’s. Ali Gabriel, Vice President of Development with the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce shared that traditional models of the program requiring chambers to hold and distribute funds are being replaced with third-party gift card program that mimics the intent of Chamber Bucks while removing the need for the Chamber itself to manage the money. Whether it be paper or plastic, South Dakotans continue to use Chamber-Buck-type programs to encourage residents to shop locally and keep dollars circulating close to home.
Why Local Dollars Matter
Chambers of Commerce, visitor bureaus, downtown associations, and Main Street programs have consistently promoted shop‑local behaviors and for good reason. The economic impact of keeping money local is well documented.
According to the American Independent Business Alliance, “independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales than chain competitors” (AMIBA, 2021). That means every $1 spent locally has a multiplier effect - supporting wages, local services, business-to-business spending, and even nonprofit donations before those dollars leave the community.
A U.S. House Committee on Small Business memo reinforces this: small businesses generate 3.7 times more direct local economic benefit than chain retailers (U.S. House Committee on Small Business, 2018). When dollars stay close to home, they continue moving through the local economy—supporting jobs, sales tax revenue, and community improvements.
The Gift Card Dilemma
Most of us have purchased gift cards from major retailers or national chains at some point. They’re convenient. They’re quick. And they’re easy to wrap. But have you ever wondered where that money actually ends up?
A large portion of national gift card revenue never returns to your community. If the card goes unused (which happens surprisingly often), the dollars are essentially gone, benefiting a corporation headquartered somewhere else, not your town and many times not even in our state.
I remember receiving a gift card to a popular national coffee chain as a present a few years back from a thoughtful coworker as a ‘kudos’ for my work on a project. It came with a kind note and the best of intentions. Problem was, even though there were two of these businesses in my hometown and more scattered in cities I frequented across the state…I never used it. (I am more of a “brew it at home” kind of person.) I carried it around with me for more months than I could count until I finally gave it away.
Chamber Bucks: Still a practical, easy, local tool
Sometimes convenience gets in the way of best intentions. It is often easier to grab a gift card from an online retailer or kiosk than to take a few extra minutes to buy local. Chamber Bucks or local gift cards offer many of the same conveniences as national gift cards:
- Easy to buy
- Easy to give
- Easy to use
But with one important difference: they keep money circulating locally. Chamber Bucks—or their equivalent—are not just popular in South Dakota, they are quite commonplace in the Midwest and act as a “mini‑local currency” that boosts small businesses and supports the local economy (Sauk Prairie Area Chamber, 2025). Recipients get flexibility—choosing where to spend their gift across a wide range of participating businesses. And givers know their purchase strengthens the community.
Each time I have been gifted local Chamber Bucks in the communities I have lived in, I have felt empowered to try new restaurants or stores or happily looked forward to visiting an old favorite. Depending on my wants and needs at the time, I could choose where to redeem my gift from a long list of local businesses whether it be for something fun and frivolous like my favorite - a large cherry slush whip or purchasing necessities such as groceries or gasoline. Best of all, I wasn’t limited to a single store I rarely visited.
Depending on the community, this type of currency is available in a variety of denominations or can be customizable making it easy for events and celebrations year-round:
- Employee recognition/bonuses
- Holiday/graduation/birthday gifts
- Stocking stuffers
- Volunteer or board appreciation
- Customer thank‑yous
- Event promotion
- Gifts of appreciation to Teacher, neighbors, or co-workers
- 605 Day
Communities Are Getting Creative: Cash at a discount
Who doesn’t like getting a discount – but a discount on cash? One South Dakota community offers “free money” to incentivize local commerce during the holidays. In addition to their year-round Chamber Bucks, the Platte Area Chamber of Commerce has a festive spin on the program. Assistant Director Brittney Veurink explains: “The Christmas Dollar program is underwritten by four businesses, including ourselves, who sponsor these dollars to encourage people to purchase them and shop local. The Christmas Dollars are sold at a 10% discount off face value; are a different color than our typical dollars; are only printed in $20 denominations; have their own account/tracking; have a cap of $500 max purchase per household and are available until sold out.” While the amount has varied, in recent years, $45,000 worth of Christmas Dollars were printed annually.
Are Chamber Bucks a Thing of the Past?
Not at all. While the paper aspect may be fading away to digital “eBucks” or local gift card programs, if anything, the Chamber Buck concept is experiencing renewed importance as communities focus more on economic resilience and shopping local.
From some of the largest communities in South Dakota to some of the most rural, many have some sort of Chamber Buck program. Granted, it may be called bonus bucks, business bucks, a downtown gift card or certificate, or something more specific to the community like “Ol’ Mill Bucks” or “Mitchell Money.” It may also be a service provided by a commercial club, downtown association, economic development organization, or chamber all-year-long or as a season specific promotion like with Christmas Dollars in Platte.
Unfortunately, there is no central repository of these programs, and many are not well documented online. That means this simple economic tool is likely underutilized and underpublicized, even though it offers significant benefits to local economies.
So next time you are looking for a gift, a thank you, or a way to recognize someone, take a couple of minutes to reach out to your area Chamber of Commerce or community promotion’s office and ask if they offer Chamber Bucks or community gift cards. They remain a simple, meaningful way to keep dollars working close to home supporting the businesses that invest in your community every day.
Sources
- American Independent Business Alliance. (2021). The local multiplier effect.
- Grassroots Economic Organizing. (2025, June 16). Why the “Local Multiplier Effect” always counts.
- U.S. House Committee on Small Business. (2018, June 20). Hearing memo: Communities That Think Small and Win Big.
- Gift Certificate. (n.d.). Encyclopedia.com: Finance—Encyclopedias, Almanacs, Transcripts, and Maps.
- Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce. (2025, November 4). How Chamber Bucks Strengthen the Local Economy.
