Arlington chamber program promotes local shopping

Shopping locally provides lots of benefits: The sales tax helps your town's budget, your dollars benefit merchants who are your neighbors and you support businesses who support local causes.

But we seem to ask: What's in it for me?

The Arlington Heights Chamber has the answer. Called My Town, the program offers discounts at businesses that are members of the chamber.

The businesses will frequently put new coupons online, and while everyone can see what they are, only people who join and pay a $25 annual membership fee can print and use the coupons.

The first 1,000 people who join receive $10 gift certificates for downtown Arlington Heights. About 200 people have signed up, said Jon S. Ridler, executive director. The chamber has 450 members who can put up coupons, he said.

Both residents and people who work in Arlington Heights are encouraged to join. An online kiosk at the Senior Center will let members there print out coupons with a touch-screen computer, said Ridler.

For information, visit arlingtonheightschamber.com.