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The Creative Coast Initiative, DonorCharge Member - Press Release |
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Date:
10/7/2011 |
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Savannah, Ga. – Oct. 6, 2011 – The Creative Coast announces the launching of DonorCharge, a credit card processing program designed to minimize merchant fees while simultaneously allowing local merchants to help The Creative Coast continue its mission of supporting locally grown businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Creative Coast is a not-for-profit organization working to transform Savannah into a regional hub for creative and innovative businesses, organizations, and individuals. Recent activities undertaken by the Savannah-based grass-roots organization include FastPitch 2011 and StartUp Lounge, two events designed to increase private equity funding opportunities for innovative local business concepts, and the annual hosting of TedX, an international forum to discuss ideas and innovation.
According to The Creative Coast executive director Jake Hodesh, the DonorCharge program is a win-win proposition for local merchants. "We've teamed up with Thompson Merchant Services to provide an alternative to the expensive credit card processing fee system offered by major financial service institutions. With DonorCharge, merchants have the opportunity to pay a lower transaction fee while The Creative Coast will receive a small percentage of the transaction fee. Participating merchants receive the same amount of revenue, or more, from each credit card transaction while The Creative Coast earns a small percentage from the transaction fee itself, not the merchant’s pocket." explained Hodesh.
"The merchant keeps more of their money and The Creative Coast generates a little revenue itself. Everyone’s a winner…except maybe the big banks,” noted Hodesh.
Implementing the DonorCharge program is a relatively easy process. After reviewing a merchant's credit card processing statements, DonorCharge transaction specialists advise the business owner of the potential savings available through their fees. The majority of all point of sale (POS) terminals work seamlessly with the DonorCharge program so business owners can begin participating almost immediately.
Hodesh notes that the DonorCharge program also offers merchants the opportunity to show the local community they support The Creative Coast's unique business development initiatives and attract new customers. "We have more than 10,000 supporters in the local area and our audience is growing exponentially every year. As The Creative Coast helps emerging businesses succeed and prosper, we're building a super strong sense of community among a very vocal and active group of consumers. Creative Coast supporters will recognize DonorCharge merchants as 'one of the good guys', an important step in building brand recognition and loyalty for your business," Hodesh said.
Joe Thompson, owner and president of Thompson Merchant Services, says one of the unique aspects of the DonorCharge program is that it can be used on any platform where credit card payments are accepted. "We recognize that today's merchants are conducting businesses in a wide range of environments, from brick and mortar stores to online shopping and telephone-based transactions. DonorCharge is fully compatible with every method of transacting payments," Thompson said.
For more information regarding the DonorCharge Program, contact The Creative Coast at donorcharge@thecreativecoast.org or call 912.447.8457. The Creative Coast is located at 15 West York Street, Savannah, GA 31401 and on the web at www.thecreativecoast.org. Interested merchants can complete an initial online DonorCharge application form @ http://sav.fm/tccdc.
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