During the Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, special City Commission meeting, West Fargo city commissioners approved the COVID-19 relief enterprise fund ordinance. This ordinance authorizes the City of West Fargo to send $25 gift cards to every household in the city to provide support to local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The only requirement is residents must spend the money in West Fargo. 

Businesses interested in participating are now able to enroll by completing the merchant form at: westfargond.gov/LoveYourLocal. Households are only able to use the gift card in West Fargo, so businesses can only register locations in West Fargo. There are no additional costs or purchasing fees to businesses. The City of West Fargo will highlight the participating businesses on the website and social media channels and provide on-site signage for businesses to identify themselves as a location accepting the gift cards. .  

"The City of West Fargo is offering this program for a limited time to help our households and put dollars back into local businesses who were impacted by the coronavirus pandemic," said Commission President Bernie Dardis. 

Gift cards should arrive the week in households by March 1, and are redeemable through March 28, 2021. If the program needs an extension, the City of West Fargo will announce it on the website and social media, and share the update with local media.  

Any resident of West Fargo can also enter one of four drawings in March to win an additional $1,000 gift card by submitting a photo of them inside or outside of their favorite West Fargo business at westfargond.gov/LoveYourLocal or posting it on Facebook, tagging @CityofWestFargo and using #LoveYourLocalWF.

All funding for the program will come from COVID-19 CARES Act relief funds.