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Goochland EDA approves $3,000 refill for county rewards app to sustain local shopper incentives through 2025
Summary
The authority voted to authorize $3,000 to refill the county Open Rewards program for the remainder of 2025 after staff presented usage data showing heavy uptake (about 560 users) and a projected year‑end funding need.
The Goochland County Economic Development Authority on Aug. 20 authorized a $3,000 refill for the county's Open Rewards program to keep the incentive app running through the end of 2025. Staff reported the program has grown rapidly this year — currently about 560 users — and that redemptions and rewards earned have increased compared with 2024.
Staff presented a breakdown showing approximately 50% of redemptions go to food and drink establishments, 20% to services, 25% to retail and about 3% to other categories. Using current monthly averages, staff projected roughly $2,933 in additional funding would be needed to sustain the program through year‑end and recommended a $3,000 refill to provide a margin and time to reassess in December.
Treasurer and staff noted options for handling leftover rewards: leaving them in the program for future seasonal campaigns, or having the vendor (Blue Dot/Blue Cloud) return the remaining balance as a check to the EDA account. The authority voted by voice to approve $3,000 for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year; staff said it will instruct the vendor to restore funds and notify users to resume claiming rewards.
"We flew through the money last year," the staff presenter said, urging a refill to maintain momentum. Members said they preferred to revisit the program in December and discuss additional funding as needed for 2026.
