The first-ever Shop Washington Township program will provide residents with credit on annual property taxes for frequenting local businesses
By as early as November, residents will have the opportunity to save money on their annual property tax bills as an incentive to shop locally. According to Mayor Joann Gattinelli, the Shop Washington Township program will support those who live local and shop local, while promoting local businesses and improving the township’s economic development.
Shop Washington Township will reward residents who shop at local participating businesses with credits toward their property tax bills. At the same time, participating businesses will receive ongoing marketing from the township to raise awareness of the program and promote businesses to town residents. As a result, Gattinelli said, the businesses should experience higher sales volume and community support.
Gattinelli said the tax rebate incentive program requires a minimum of 15 businesses to opt-in before it is able to move forward. The administration is in the process of scheduling a forum for local businesses within the coming weeks to answer questions, introduce the program and allow sign-ups.
“We want to make sure we make our businesses in the forefront; it’s the backbone to our community,” Gattinelli said. “With Shop Washington Township, it’s giving us the opportunity to bring the community together, to patronize our local businesses and to reward in the end for doing so.”
Shop Washington Township Property Tax Cards will be distributed to the municipality’s 18,000 households at no cost to the residents. According to a township release, fees will be paid by the participating businesses, not the township, and are “expected to be just a few cents per dollar.”
Merchants who enroll will be charged a $10 monthly fee, plus their rebate. The rebate percentage, or flat dollar amount, is determined by the business when they enroll in the tax reward program. Rebates are automatically credited to the customer’s account when transactions are processed, either through a web portal, which is at no cost unless the business would prefer to purchase a magnetic card reader, or through a purchased dedicated terminal, similar to a credit card machine. The program administrator, FinCredit Inc., will provide all software, set-up, support, customer service and transaction processing.
Once the township has the minimum of 15 businesses enrolled, reward cards will be distributed to residents, and the municipality will initiate a “marketing blitz” to include direct mail, door-hangers, local television, signs, print and electronic media and more to promote the local businesses involved in the program.
“Knowing you have the municipality backing you with something like this, moving forward we are excited about businesses in town and also those proposing to come into town,” Gattinelli said. “We’re trying to work with them to promote their business and make it a win-win for all.”
At the same time, a rewards program website will be available for residents to browse a list of participating businesses and their chosen rebate rates, as well as view their personal card activity, transactions, savings and more.
Besides Washington Township homeowners, renters and visitors who travel to and from the township for occupational reasons may also enroll in the program. Rather than receiving a credit for taxes, they will earn a yearly rebate check for the amount of savings they accrued.
“It shows the sense of community, which is what we’re trying to build by keeping everything local,” Gattinelli said. “A lot of folks have said in the past they tend to go to dinner or patronize businesses outside of town; this will definitely give them a benefit because the more they use it, the more tax dollars they build up, which will be a credit toward their tax bills. I think it’s all around a benefit for everyone.”
According to Business Administrator Jason Gonter, on the township’s website, www.townshipnj.com, there are a total of 753 registered businesses that operate within Washington Township. Therefore, the reward program has the potential to grow exponentially if many opt-in, building “momentum and steam” for economic development.
“When people think of the program, they think of a restaurant, but there can be all types of businesses — lumber yards, funeral homes, professional services — there’s no limit of who can be involved in it,” Gonter said. “It’s a monumental piece to have.”
To learn more about the Shop Washington Township program, contact Gattinelli’s Confidential Aide Alicia Rotella at (856) 589–0520 ext. 283, or email arotella@twp.washington.nj.us.
