Council member unveils 'Staycation to Tehachapi' shop-local program with gift-card incentives and free summer events

A Tehachapi council member announced a summer "Staycation to Tehachapi" campaign at the City Council meeting to encourage local spending as inflation and fuel prices rise.

The council member said residents who combine receipts totaling $250 — including for fuel, Home Depot or Walmart purchases — can bring them to City Hall to receive a gift card of their choice. The city will also redeem receipts at the weekly farmers market. The presenter said the program launched June 1, involves 57 participating businesses, and that the city purchased roughly 1,171 $10 gift cards and has received additional donated cards, estimating about $13,000 in total gift-card value when donations are included.

The initiative pairs the receipt-redemption incentive with a schedule of free community events. The council member outlined six free concerts, a movie in the park coordinated with the local recreation district, and a full Fourth of July weekend with a parade and multiple bands. Officials said the campaign is intended to run through Labor Day and to drive foot traffic to downtown merchants.

City staff and council members described early results as positive: businesses extended hours during a recent concert and several downtown merchants reported more customers. The council member said the program is funded through the council-approved budget allocation for the shop-local effort and that some businesses matched or donated additional gift cards to expand the program.

Council members praised the outreach and asked staff to continue tracking participation and business feedback. The council member said staff created social media videos and press materials to promote the program, and that the city will monitor the gift-card supply as the program continues.