New online directory helping to kick start Mid Canterbury economy
Businesses and shoppers keen to get the district's local economy rolling after the COVID-19 lockdown now have a brand new tool to help boost recovery efforts, thanks to the free Mid Canterbury Open for Business online directory.
The Ashburton District Council has developed the directory as an easy to use, one-stop shop for Mid Canterbury businesses to showcase their opening hours, what they're offering and what exciting deals and promotions they may have for customers.
The directory is available at midcanopenforbiz.nz and is growing every day as more and more businesses add their name to the list.
Everything from restaurants, retailers, service providers, trades people, social services and every business in between is being invited onto the free platform.
The site is friendly and inviting, with colour-coded categories, descriptions of the businesses and links to their websites or social media pages. Businesses may also wish to include job vacancies.
Ashburton District Mayor, Neil Brown says the nation's COVID-19 response has brought much of the district's business sector to a stand still, but many are eager to reopen, and Mid Canterbury Open for Business will help them reach out to their customers.
"COVID-19 is first and foremost a major public health issue, but as we all know, it also has very concerning repercussions for our economy. The Council quickly saw that we needed a way to help instil confidence and bring local businesses and customers together again when the Government deemed it safe to do so.
"Mid Canterbury Open for Business will help residents find the services and products they're after as restrictions ease, and in doing so, encourage us all to support local and patronise Mid Canterbury businesses wherever possible."
Business owners who have not yet been contacted by the Council are invited to register their business for the directory by visiting midcanopenforbiz.nz and clicking 'Get On Board' at the top right hand corner of the page.
Mayor Brown adds that the beauty of Mid Canterbury Open for Business is that it will help residents find what is and isn't available in the district, as the COVID-19 Alert Levels may continue to place restrictions on what businesses are allowed to provide and how they provide it.
"There is no textbook for what we are facing right now as a nation, but our best hope is to continue supporting one another and being united as a community to get our district through. Mid Canterbury Open for Business helps us to be responsive and ready when we start the recovery process."
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