While the Pella community saw a significant drop in visitor traffic to local businesses, Executive Director of the PACE Alliance Karen Eischen says she’s thankful for the residents who have stepped up to support local operations.

Eischen says the Pay it Forward Pella program, which matched 10% of purchases at Pella-area businesses with Pella Bucks, showed a great investment in the community. The program lasted six weeks from March 21st to April 25th, with $354,680.97 in receipts submitted by 491 residents who shopped, ate, or had services provided to them by 131 Pella-area businesses.

After distributing the initial funds in free Pella Bucks, local banks donated another $14,500 to continue the program, including Bank Iowa, Leighton State Bank, Marion County Bank, MidWestOne Bank, and US Bank. Hear more about the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.