Hondo EDC Concludes Successful Open Rewards Program, Generating Over $514,000 in Local Economic Impact

January 13, 2026

Hondo, TX — The Hondo Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its Open Rewards Program, a five-month initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to shop local and support Hondo’s small businesses. The program demonstrated the powerful impact of community-driven economic development, resulting in significant returns for local businesses and the broader Hondo economy.

Over the course of the program, 637 users actively participated, earning rewards while shopping at participating local businesses. In total, $20,404.97 in rewards were distributed back to shoppers, generating an impressive $514,411.09 in total economic impact for the community. This equates to a remarkable 25x return on investment, underscoring the program’s effectiveness as a tool for local economic stimulation.

“The success of the Open Rewards Program clearly shows what can happen when a community comes together with a shared goal of supporting local businesses,” said the Hondo EDC. “These numbers represent more than just dollars—they represent intentional choices to invest in Hondo, strengthen our small business community, and keep spending local.”

The Open Rewards Program incentivized users to shop at participating businesses by offering digital rewards, encouraging repeat visits, increased foot traffic, and greater awareness of local retailers and service providers. Beyond the measurable economic impact, the program fostered a stronger sense of connection between residents and local businesses.

“The enthusiasm and participation we saw throughout this program made it incredibly rewarding,” the EDC added. “It was inspiring to watch our community embrace the program, discover new businesses, and consistently choose to shop small.”

Given the program’s success, the Hondo EDC is already planning for its return and looks forward to relaunching Open Rewards in fall 2026, with continued opportunities to build on this momentum and further support local economic growth.

The Hondo EDC extends its sincere gratitude to the participating businesses, community members, and partners who helped make the Open Rewards Program a success. Together, they proved that investing in local truly pays off.

For updates on future programs and initiatives, visit the Hondo EDC website and follow along on social media.