Merchants to promote "Alleghany Stimulus Package"

Getting more people to shop in Alleghany is the concept behind a new program, dubbed "Alleghany County Stimulus Package 2009."

The issue was discussed during the April 7 meeting of the Sparta Town Council, where D.W. Miles was available address any questions.

Town Manager Bryan Edwards told the council he had met with Miles earlier in the day to talk about the issue. Miles, along with local citizens, the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and the Sparta Revitalization Committee are "working on a project to elicit our downtown merchants and employees there on a marketing campaign program to encourage buy-at-home activities and encourage tourists to spend their money in Sparta and take advantage of some of the opportunities available here," commented Edwards. "The idea would be a proclamation of support, similar to the sesquicentennial proclamation that the county and town did jointly."

Miles added, "We're going to try to make people aware; we're going to do editorials… and we're going to educate our merchants and hope they'll all participate in this program. There's not a cost to anybody at this point…bring a new awareness of all the fine things we have and what a good place this is to live and talk positive about our county. That's what the program's going to be basically about and we're going to be getting information out on it…"

As discussion of the topic drew to a close, the members of the council showed support of an undrafted resolution that was set to be presented to the county commission at a mid-month meeting.

In a letter to Alleghany County merchants, they were encouraged to train staff members about the campaign which would include "a platform for stabilization for competitive pricing, limited tax increase, positive attitude and superior services about Alleghany County, its merchants and much more," a portion read.

The "stimulus package" would come at no cost to the merchants, merely serving as a campaign to stabilize and increase sales in the county's business community, as well as an effort to create jobs.

Merchants were made aware of an "ask me" badge that could generate conversations between customers and employees about what is happening in Sparta and Alleghany County. In addition, a "secret shopper" will come to area stores and quiz employees about the town and activities available here. If they answer correctly, they receive $5. COPS Application

Edwards was given permission to apply for an Office of Community Orientating Policing Services (COPS) grant on behalf the town police department.