This is a story from 13WMAZ television station here in Macon.

Some Central Georgia business owners say they’re trying something new to fight the slow economy.

About twenty small businesses will offer a 10% discount to customers and also help promote each others’ business at the same time.Vikki Montgomery says there’s more to working at a beauty salon than doing hair.
“Everyone talks to your hair dressers, you tell em things you don’t tell other people,” said Montgomery. But she says those conversations are becoming less frequent.

“They’re extending the time between service to kinda save a little money that way,” she said.
Montgomery’s helping clients keep money in their pockets in another way too. Snip’z Hair Studio in Gray and about 20 other Central Georgia shops want to cut down the effects of the struggling economy by offering discounts of at least 10% to clients who participate in the small business rewards program.

Paul Tindell says his business of painting and restoring cars has dropped by about 30%. He hopes the program will generate more customers.
“Through supporting each other I think we can send a lot of customers to each other, definitely offering some sort of discount to help people to save money and we can make money at the same time,” said Tindell.

Andrew Brooks believes the idea will help capture more clients for his Macon photography business too. He’s looking into other ways owners can share the load during tough times.
“Maybe splitting a billboard one side of it photography the other side of it frame. Things like that instead of her having the whole expense for a billboard or me having the whole expense for a billboard, we kinda co-op it together,” said Brooks.

“We really like to be involved in programs that will give us a good word and then we can turn around and give somebody else the good word and create that network of businesses to help each other,” said Montgomery.

And it’s that help that they all hope will keep business booming throughout their communities.
Here are the businesses participating in the rewards program:

• Home Team Sports – Macon Mall & 120 Tom Hill Sr Blvd 478-477-5052 www.thehometeamsports.com
• Macon Frames – 3083 Vineville Ave 478-238-6915 website coming soon…www.maconframes.com
• Val Elliott Art – 478-986-5634, 478-731-5538 www.valelliottart.com
• Image Ink – 478-750-0537
• Franny’s Kitchen – 511 Settlement Point, Gray – 478-986-2783
• La Fiesta Mexican Grill – 2460 Riverside Dr., Macon & 307 Pecan Lane, Gray
• Mr. Pizza – Hartley Bridge Rd, Macon. 478-781-3544
• Construction Color Solutions – Residential Painting 478-718-1063
• Superior Paint & Body – 883 Key St, Macon 788-2203
• Quality Vinyl Siding & Construction Services – Eddie Elloitt 478-808-2699, 478-746-4674
• Meldino’s Brick Oven Pizzaria – Gunn Street, Centerville 478-953-2200
• ProMotion Automotive – 3072 Gray Hwy, Macon 478-750-0123
• Central Carpet – 4492 Knight Rd, Maco n 478-471-0805
• Snip’s Hair Studio – Clinton Crossing Shopping Center, Gray 478-986-0055
• Speedy Signs – 107 Homer Roberts Rd, Gray, 478-986-1612
• Andrew Brooks Photography – 176 Pierce Ave, Macon 478-744-0990 www.abphotos.com
• Party Stop – 4157 Gray Hwy, Gray, 478-986-5872
• Stull Chiropractic – 1200 Riverside Dr, Macon, 478-750-9653
• Logan’s Pizza – Clinton Crossing Shopping Center, Gray, 478-986-2500
• Jennifer S. Copeland – Licensed Massage Therapist 4292 Gray Hwy, Gray 478-320-1679