Could Jackson make a difference?

What can $20 do?

You might say “Not much.”

It can barely feed a family at a fast-food eatery. It may just fund a duo through a bowling game. It can bring a smile to a birthday kid’s face.

Would you believe Andrew Jackson could jump start the local economy?

That’s what Mountain Times Publications and High Country merchants are banking on (pun intended) on June 20 when the local business community celebrates “Spend $20 on the 20th” Day on Saturday, June 20.

According to MTP advertising director Charlie Price, if every adult in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties spent $20 at local businesses on one Saturday, it could inject more than $2 million into the region’s economy.

“What if everyone banded together to provide a cash infusion?” Price said. “Let’s find out.”

“This is a program that’s been successful in other markets to help revitalize the local economy and consumer confidence,” Price said.

Economic experts say that, for every dollar spent in a local market, $1.68 gets re-injected back into that same economy.

If every adult in the tri-county area —about 62,000 people —spent $20 on June 20 and that amount was multiplied by the $1.68 pass-through rate, the region would stand to gain $2.08 million.

To help spread the word and promote merchant specials on June 20, Mountain Times Publications is offering a special advertising rate for select ads in publications leading up to the date priced at —you guessed it —$20.

“We are keeping ad costs very low,” Price said.

“Our goal is not to generate a lot of money. Our goal is for everyone to have the ability to participate.“

For more information, call Price or any MTP marketing consultant at (828) 264-3612.