As California fully reopened its economy on June 15, 2021, supporting small businesses remained critically important for an equitable economic recovery.
With the launch of a new smart city app, Choose Chula, residents and visitors in Chula Vista get rewarded with Chula Points in the app for shopping and dining locally at participating small businesses.
The Choose Chula app, developed by the City of Chula Vista and Colu Technologies, was launched as the start of a city-run pilot program to boost business and bolster economic recovery.
This smart city economic development initiative places Chula Vista among the first five cities in the United States and top 10 cities internationally to launch this white label app in partnership with Colu Technologies.
“As a smart city, we are always looking for innovative solutions to better serve our businesses and community. Through the launch of the Choose Chula app, we are strengthening our circular economy and keeping dollars in our community while supporting our small businesses,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas.
“Choosing to support our local Chula Vista businesses is easier than ever with this app as a proven and powerful tool,” she added.
The free app is available for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Users can securely link debit cards, credit cards, or prepaid debit cards to their app account.
Shoppers and diners can use their linked cards at participating businesses to earn Chula Points which can later be spent at redeeming businesses on purchases. Each Chula Point is worth $1. Businesses will be reimbursed for redeemed Chula Points by the City.
“We are proud to launch Choose Chula as a creative way to promote our small businesses and provide them support to recover from the impacts of the pandemic. Choose Chula will bring our businesses and residents together to drive our local economic recovery,” said Deputy City Manager Eric Crockett.
The app is currently available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play in a soft launch phase. Additional businesses, reward offers, and events will continue to be added to the app on an ongoing basis.
Photo of downtown Chula Vista courtesy of the City of Chula Vista.