In an effort to help jumpstart the economy, The Messenger is sponsoring “Spend 20 on the 20th.”

As part of this campaign, Pike County residents are asked to spend $20 on May 20 to see how much revenue can come into the county and how it will affect the county’s economy.

“We think it’s important for residents to understand how we can each do something to support our local businesses,” said Stacy Graning, publisher. “Small steps for each of us, simply spending $20 on one day, can add up to a big boost for our local merchants. And that’s what we want to do.”

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is on board with The Messenger. “The Chamber encourages everyone to get on board with ‘Spend 20 on the 20th,’” said Chamber President Jenniffer Barner. “This is a fantastic idea. And what a great, inexpensive way for all of us to give the economy in Pike County a boost.” According to Barner, there are studies that follow a dollar in communities to show how it is spent. “Something like you go to the hardware store and buy a light bulb for a dollar,” Barner said. “The owner of the locally owned hardware store takes that dollar and buys supplies from the local office supply store. So, if you think about how the dollars that you spend are used within your own community it makes even more sense to spend that $20 here.”

Graning echoed Barner’s comments. “We felt like $20 was a reasonable amount for people to consider spending,” she said.

Pike County offers a wide variety of products and services for its residents, and Barner said the thinks businesses appreciate local business any time. “I think that all of our local businesses appreciate any business at any time, great time and not so great times,” Barner said. “We have such as wide diversity of products that are offered right here in Pike County. Everyone needs to go out to our local businesses, check out what all they have to offer and shop with them. I think everyone will be very happy with what they find.”

Barner said if all residents would spend money at home first it would help local merchants.

“The positives are endless, when people stay at home, shop at home and support local business,” Barner said. “We have all heard it over and over tax base, education infrastructure, it just makes sense that we all buy what we can in our own community.”