Long-running ‘Chamber Bucks’ gift card program ends
NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio (WJER) (Jan. 9, 2026) — The Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce has discontinued its long‑standing Chamber Bucks gift card program, citing declining sales and rising production costs.
Chamber President Scott Robinson said the program officially ended Dec. 31, 2025, after years of reduced participation from local shoppers and businesses. He noted that producing the gift cards required specialized inks and materials that made the program increasingly expensive to operate.
“We’ve seen a big decline in sales in that program over the last few years and it’s quite costly due to the special types of ink and materials we have to have to run the program,” Robinson said.
Robinson thanked the local businesses and community members who supported the initiative over the years but said the chamber decided its resources would be better used on new projects that offer greater value to members.
“Over time those have simply not sold to what we expected and it’s become a very costly endeavor to continue something that really isn’t providing the value we expect to our members,” he said. “We thought it was more efficient to move on to other projects that create value for our members.”
Many businesses that once accepted Chamber Bucks now offer their own gift cards, Robinson added.
The chamber is currently developing new strategic plans and exploring fresh programming options for the coming months. “Maybe have something new and different as we move forward,” Robinson said. “We look forward to being a part of the community for a long time.”
Chamber Bucks already in circulation will still be honored through the end of 2027.