Christmas Scrip 2023 Recap

The Malta Chamber of Commerce released the summary for the 2023 Christmas Scrip program now that all the accounting is complete. There were 45 businesses that utilized the service.

The total amount of interest-free loans between the three local banks came to a total of $178,655. This total is about a 13% decrease in sales; last year the total was $205,415, which was a decrease of about 14% compared to 2021.

Three new chamber members enrolled in the program, including CAL Contracting, owner Chance Love. Kelly Orahood of Orahood PEFM LLC (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field) participated in the program to assist others in their health. Anjelica Fourstar joined with her business, “Flawless.”

As a first-year signing up for the Scrip program, Orahood said that none of her customers used the Scrip money. She said she will probably sign up for it again next year.

The merchants that responded to the inquiry were pleased with the program this year. Bill Myers and Mark Kunze, at Ezzie’s Wholesale, were pleased with the 2023 results. Their thoughts of the program were the same as Cohen Ereaux, at Farmers and Ranchers Lumber, who stated it works great for those who need some help – the zero % interest makes a big difference.

With $178,655 circulated back into the community and local merchants, the money helps keep both the merchants and the customer pleased.

This year, Bank of Malta loaned out $53,030, First State Bank loaned out $104,870, and Independence Bank loaned out $20,755.