TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– First Commerce Credit Union here has announced an initiative it said is aimed at starting a wave of support for locally owned businesses in the communities it serves.
Under the #LocalStrong initiative, First Commerce said it distributed more than $4,000 among more than 150 of its employees to spend with local businesses in over the weekend.
“The launch of #LocalStrong seeks to support local businesses who are feeling the impact of closures related to COVID-19 and inspire a wave of support from other businesses and individuals,” the credit union said.
First Commerce said it understands the vital role small businesses play in fueling our local economy.
“As the impact of the Coronavirus continues to unfold, we are deeply committed to serving our team members, members, local businesses, and communities through these difficult times and beyond – and we realize they need a wave of support right now,” said First Commerce CEO Cecilia Homison. “We are rooted in our communities and wanted to find a meaningful way to let local businesses know we are still here for them. This initiative is a win-win-win since it not only helps those businesses who keep our local economy strong, but also empowers our team members to give back to their community in a way that is meaningful and safe at the same time.”
$25 For Each Employee
As part of #LocalStrong, First Commerce employees used the $25 deposited into each of their accounts to purchase goods, services, gift cards or gift certificates over the weekend from a locally owned business either online or over the phone to help them, their families, their neighbors, and others already feeling the impact of COVID-19.
In observance of CDC guidelines for social distancing and current municipal orders, team members were told not to physically visit a business location to make their purchase, but were asked to do so online or over the phone with businesses such as restaurants, bakeries, cleaning services, lawn care, hardware stores, bookstores, hairdressers, pet sitting services, subscriptions to support community-based publications and journalists, and many others.
Team members also had the option of choosing to donate their purchase to an individual in need, or a local organization that serves vulnerable or at-risk populations.
First Commerce CU said it hopes the initiative will start a movement of similar support by inspiring other organizations and people to follow suit with their own creative ways to support locally owned businesses.
“Our communities are facing challenges unlike anything we have seen before,” said Homison. “In line with the credit union cooperative structure, we know when we all work together, we can accomplish great things. This initiative is one small way that we can help make a difference.”
Help for Members
In addition to the #LocalStrong initiative, First Commerce said it has also introduced local relief efforts for both consumer and business members, including providing automatic one-month loan deferrals on qualified First Commerce loans, quick emergency relief loans for current First Commerce members, and waiving fees on certain transactions.
The FCCU Foundation is also offering free financial education to anyone through short interactive courses on a wide variety of financial topics on our website.
The $620-million First Commerce has approximately 55,000 members.