Consumers Energy Provides Holiday Cheer with $500,000 to Support Michigan Small Businesses

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy is contributing $500,000 to support Michigan's local businesses during the holiday season through its "Our Town" gift card initiative. The program offers a dollar-for-dollar match on gift cards purchased via local Chambers of Commerce, effectively doubling spending power in communities. Grants of $3,000 to $40,000 are being provided to participating organizations. In addition, Consumers Energy has donated nearly $5 million to nonprofit and economic development organizations throughout the year, further supporting small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Positive

• Investment of $500,000 to support local businesses.
• Dollar-for-dollar matching for gift cards increases consumer spending.
• Grants between $3,000 and $40,000 to local organizations bolster community support.
• Nearly $5 million donated in 2020, including $2.5 million for small businesses during the pandemic.

Negative

• None.

JACKSON, Mich., Dec. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is helping Michigan's local businesses this holiday season, providing $500,000 to support shopping in 55 local communities through its new "Our Town" gift card effort.

Consumers Energy is providing holiday shoppers with a dollar-for-dollar match for gift cards they buy through local Chambers of Commerce and downtown organizations, doubling the amount they can spend in downtowns across the state.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the communities we serve, and every community has seen those businesses feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience.

"With Our Town, we want to end the year by spreading cheer. We are putting dollars directly into shoppers' hands to help them stretch their budgets and give a boost to shops and restaurants in their hometowns."

Consumers Energy is providing $3,000 to $40,000 to Chambers of Commerce and downtown organizations across the Lower Peninsula. Shoppers can earn the matching dollars when they buy gift cards directly from local participating organizations. The Our Town support will be available while gift cards last.

Shoppers should contact their local Chamber of Commerce or downtown association to buy gift cards.

"We thank Consumers Energy for taking a meaningful step to help small businesses that have felt the impact of the pandemic," said Rich Studley, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "Our Town focuses on our Michigan hometowns and puts dollars in the hands of businesses that keep Michiganders at work this holiday season."

Consumers Energy has been committed to communities and small businesses through the pandemic. The company and its charitable foundation have provided nearly $5 million to nonprofit and economic development organizations this year in help related to COVID-19, including close to $2.5 million for small businesses.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-provides-holiday-cheer-with-500-000-to-support-michigan-small-businesses-301190041.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is the 'Our Town' initiative by Consumers Energy?

The 'Our Town' initiative is a program where Consumers Energy matches dollar-for-dollar the purchase of gift cards from local Chambers of Commerce, aimed at supporting Michigan's small businesses.

How much money is Consumers Energy investing in local businesses this holiday season?

Consumers Energy is investing $500,000 to support local businesses through its holiday gift card initiative.

What is the range of grants given to Chambers of Commerce under the 'Our Town' program?

Grants ranging from $3,000 to $40,000 are being provided to Chambers of Commerce and local organizations.

How has Consumers Energy supported small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Consumers Energy has donated nearly $5 million in 2020 to support nonprofit organizations and small businesses affected by the pandemic, including $2.5 million specifically for small businesses.

Who benefits from the Consumers Energy holiday gift card program?

The program benefits local businesses and shoppers in Michigan by enhancing spending power and driving sales during the holiday season.