Christmas Cash campaign on pace with last year’s record-setting run

The Hillsboro Business Association will close out 2007 with a paid membership of 62 businesses, a record number for the local organization.

In addition, the business group this year awarded full memberships at  no cost to five non-profit foundations in the community.

Neil Nelson, editor of the Hillsboro Banner, has been president of the business group the last three years. Gail Mooney has been HBA’s vice president for two years. Joelle Morrison is the association’s secretary and Betsy Tate its treasurer.

Nelson, Mooney and Morrision are leaving their posts at the end of the year. 

The business association is expected to elect new officers at its January meeting.

Meeting Monday at the Main Street Community Center, HBA members were told that more than $113,000 in Christmas Cash loans has been processed by Dakota Heritage Bank and The Goose River Bank.

HBA member businesses are chasing last year’s record loan total: $147,250. The additional 10 percent of each loan given borrowers last year, thanks to the generosity of the Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation, means more than $161,000 was spent in Hillsboro before Christmas 2006.

“We’ll settle for anything close to last year’s record totals,” said Nelson this week. “We still have a couple of weeks before Christmas.”

Records show, however, that this year’s totals for early December are only $5,000 off 2006’s record-setting pace.

“That’s good news,” said Connie Bertsch, Goose River Bank officer who coordinates the annual HBA campaign.

“I’m confident we’ll reach last year’s grand total.”

The interest-free Christmas Cash loans, helped greatly by the incentive of free money offered by HEDC, have a real and positive impact in the Hillsboro business community, according to Neil Nelson, HBA president.

“We’ve said it every year, but it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. The shopper is afforded money for Christmas, and the businesses realize increased sales.”

Other HBA members benefit when bills are paid, or — for instance — heating fuel is purchased for the winter, Nelson added.

The success of the Hillsboro Christmas loan program is easily explained, said Nelson.

“Our community banks and the HBA member businesses are the engines that drive the program, but it’s the HEDC offer of free money that takes us to the top of the mountain every year.”

It also sets Hillsboro apart from other communities with similar interest-free loans at Christmas, said Nelson.

“Other EDCs are offering a bonus but it’s usually capped at 5 percent.”

On the other side of the coin, Nelson continued, is the positive response of the Hillsboro community.

Faithful shoppers are anxious to spend the money in their hometown, he intimated.

“They understand our business community needs a shot in the arm like this.”

We’re grateful for the business, he said.

“And they’re thankful they have a retail business community in their town.”

December is an active month for the Hillsboro Business Association.

The Christmas Cash campaign is well underway and the season’s holiday celebration is a much-anticipated affair centering around the arrival of Santa Claus.

Santa will be in town tomorrow (Saturday) at the Main Street Community Center, from 1 to 2 p.m.

The HBA-coordinated arrival of Santa Claus attracted more than 125 children last year.

Another big crowd is anticipated tomorrow, said Nelson.

$300 in Hillsboro Bucks will be given away in three drawings at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Shoppers are urged to register at HBA stores, starting Saturday morning. Registration ends at 2 p.m.

Mary Beckman won the $200 drawing last year. Penny Bolstad and Wendy Alfson each won $50.

Area residents are reminded that the FBLA Christmas Store opens at 10 a.m. Free hot dogs will be served by HBA members from noon to 1 p.m.

Hayrides on Hank Geray’s horse-drawn wagon are planned from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Parade of Lights promises lighted floats again this year. The parade that starts at 5 p.m. will swing by the nursing home and hospital before it travels down Main Street to the fire hall.

The annual parade this year includes that HBA Award of Excellence, recognition given three Hillsboro homes for their respective Christmas decorations.

The homes of Charlie and Donna Nelson, 25 4th Ave. SW; Curt and Tammy Kaufman, 619 Loyal Ave.; and Rich and Nettie Flieth, 304 1st St. NW; will be marked by mounted wreathes.

Honorable mention recognition was awarded Paul and Lori Schuh, 711 3rd Ave. NE; Paul and Sheila Geray, 113 2nd St. SE; and Forrest and Paula Tronson, 122 3rd Ave. NW.

Friends of Hillsboro are urged to tour Hillsboro’s neighborhoods and view the many homes decorated homes.

“Hometown Christmas” is the theme HBA members chose for the annual celebration this year.

“Hometown Christmas identifies and reflects what we believe Hillsboro represents and embraces,” said Nelson.

“A positive and welcoming hometown attitude.”

And we can take pride in that, he added.

Without question, he continued, it’s reflected in our many community events.

Other themes the Hillsboro Business Association has incorporated at Christmas include Finding Christmas, Sights of the Season, Home for the Holidays, Hillsboro’s Holiday Bash, Holiday Happiness and last year’s Celebrating Christmas.