Now Gainesville residents have more reason than ever to do business in Florida.
Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, alongside mayors across the state, joined Gov. Charlie Crist in support of a new strategy to boost local spending.
Everyone will have access to the Florida Backyard Card, which offers discounts to those who shop at participating stores. Card users can get as much as $100 off nightly rates at a luxury resort, or 10 percent off guitar strings at Gainesville's Hoggtowne Music, Inc.
People can get the cards for free at Florida Lotto retailers or online at FloridaBackyardCard.com.
"The revenues produced from dollars spent in our communities pay for vital services such as roads, schools, police protection, fire service and public safety," Hanrahan said in a press release.
The mayor did not immediately respond to phone calls for comment.
David Denslow, a UF economics professor, said this kind of incentive is similar to discount coupons at a grocery store. Those most likely to take advantage of it are those who are most price-sensitive.
Additionally, since demand has decreased in the weak economy, coupons allow businesses to lower prices for select groups.
It's a nice idea, Denslow said, but it might not be effective.
"Maybe you eat out 11 times instead of 10. Maybe you switch spending away from things without coupons to things with coupons. It's not going to have much impact on overall spending."
