New app rewards shopping small, shopping local

Published on April 11, 2022

COVID-19 reminded us that small businesses are not only the engine of our economy, but the foundation of a thriving community. That is why San Mateo County and cities throughout the county, including Menlo Park, are partnering with tech firm Colu to reward consumers who patronize locally owned businesses. 

The county launched a new mobile app that lets shoppers earn rewards automatically at participating local businesses; rewards can be redeemed as cash discounts at other local businesses. The County of San Mateo, which alongside city and business partners, used American Rescue Plan Act funding to launch the Choose Local San Mateo County app. 

Already more than 500 businesses are participating in Choose Local San Mateo County, including restaurants, cafes, spas, boutiques, yoga studios, dry cleaners, and more. 

Here's how it works:

1. Users download the free Choose Local San Mateo County App from Google Play or the Apple Store and securely link their credit, debit, or prepaid debit cards to their account.
2. Users join reward offers and start shopping and dining locally, earning SMC Points automatically through qualifying purchases made with their linked cards at local businesses. The app can also be used for online purchases.
3. Users redeem SMC Points for cash discounts at redeeming local businesses. Each SMC Point is worth $1.

Users can also encourage their favorite businesses to join Choose Local San Mateo County and the apps also use gamification to encourage local buying, ranking high-spending shoppers as "local heroes."