Rocky Mount officials have devised a plan to help boost the local economy, according to AllBusiness.com.

The plan is to offer $5 dollar coupons for consumers to use at local businesses. Once redeemed, the town will pay back the local business $5 (with taxpayer money).

There have been a few options discussed on how to distribute the coupons, which include mailing them to residents, giving them to Ferrum students and putting them in places around town.

A few other initiatives to encourage shoppers to buy local. A town discount card and an "I AM Rocky Mount" campaign that highlights business owners and residents.

These are great ideas to help boost the local economy - which, will help local businesses and homeowners.

"Some may consider the recent rise in the stock market a positive sign of change in the economy, but many business owners are wondering when they'll see a surge in business.

In an effort to help, local government officials have decided to step in with $5 coupons -- funded with taxpayer money -- for consumers to use at local retailers.

Town Manager James Ervin and County Administrator Rick Huff approached Community Partnership for Revitalization -- a local nonprofit committed to promoting the town and revitalization efforts -- for ideas to encourage shoppers to get out and spend.

Partnership Director Katie McElroy proposed a coupon program called "5 on Us" in which the localities provide the coupons redeemable at local retailers and restaurants. Gas, groceries and prescriptions are excluded. For each coupon received, the locality will reimburse the business.

But when it came to time to approve the initiative, only the town decided to fund the program.

After the town council agreed to the idea last week, the county board of supervisors met this week over whether to approve its share of the program.

The supervisors had a lot of questions, including how the coupons would be distributed and enforced, as well as public reaction to using taxpayer money for such a purpose. The board decided that the county will monitor what happens with the town program and consider participating later, Huff said."

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