The Tidewater News and local businesses are doing their part to jump-start the local economy.

A promotion advertised in today’s edition suggests spending $20 with local merchants the week of June 20th to help the economy in Franklin, and Southampton and Isle of Wight counties.

Basically, anyone who spends $20 with one of the participating merchants, will get the chance to win $100. Your chances of winning increase with every $20 you spend with participating merchants. The drawing for the $100 will be on Thursday so customers will need to enter to win by then.

Participating businesses, whose advertisements appears on page A7 in today’s issue, include Storage Solutions, Kurtz’ Cuts, TJ Nails, Pinos, John’s Seafood, Colonial Pharmacy, Pleasure Island, Zuni Peanuts, Joe’s Pizza, Tidewater Farm and Garden, Southern Charm, Franklin Automotive, Alphabet Soup, T&A Auto, Oliver’s Pools, Boykins Beans and Ice Cream, Nottaway House, ABC Storage and Duman Auto.

According to the American Independent Business Alliance, local businesses on average return about 80 percent of each dollar received back to the community. The alliance also claims that every dollar spent locally returns five times that amount through municipal taxes, employee wages and the purchase of materials, supplies and services from other local businesses.

Local businesses are vital to the community, and residents need to support them to keep them around. So go out and do your part.