Businesses interested in increasing bottom lines and keeping holiday shopping in St. Joseph should consider participating in the Shop St. Joseph Holiday Program. The eighth annual program of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will kick off Nov. 12 and end with a drawing that makes one lucky shopper $10,000 richer on Dec. 18.

New this year are lowered registration prices to help more small businesses to participate. “Last year, the Shop St. Joseph committee decided to open up the program to businesses that aren’t Chamber members, to further the goal of keeping holiday spending in St. Joseph,” said Natalie Redmond, Vice President of Membership for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce.

“This year, they decided to lower the entry price for Chamber members to enroll in order to continue that goal.”

The pricing is as follows: Chamber members that own his or her own business and have no or one additional employee, $100; two to five employees, $200; six or more employees, $250. Businesses that aren’t Chamber members that have five or fewer employees will pay $300. If a non-Chamber member has six or more employees, the price is $375.

The program works by participating retailers giving one Shop St. Joseph ticket free to shoppers and then another ticket for every $10 spent. A maximum of 100 tickets may be given in one transaction. For official rules, visit  www.saintjoseph.com. If a business is interested in joining the program, visit the Chamber’s website and click on Shop St. Joseph to learn more about the program and to see the registration form. Call 364-4107 for more information.

Businesses should sign up by Nov. 6 to appear in program advertising. All participating merchants are listed in newspaper and television advertising that supports the program.

“This program is a very cost effective way to get your name in front of thousands of shoppers, all while growing your business and supporting retail in St. Joseph,” Ms. Redmond said.