With less than a week left until the holiday shopping season officially kicks off after Thanksgiving, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to launch a shopping program for local businesses called “BG Bucks.”

Dawn Johnson, vice president of partnership services for the Chamber, told the Daily News BG Bucks will work like a gift certificate program. Those interested in purchasing can do so online and give the certificate to anyone.

“(Say) my sister lives in Texas and wants to buy me a gift certificate,” Johnson said. “She can do that online … and then she can send it right to my email, or she can print it and send it to me.”

BG Bucks are available at bgchamber.com and can be bought in $5, $10, $25 and $50 denominations.

Johnson said the certificates are valid for one year.

Businesses interested in joining the program can do so at the chamber’s website as well.

As of Thursday morning, 10 local businesses have signed up to accept BG Bucks. Johnson said the list of businesses participating is “growing daily.”

Sign ups for businesses come at no cost. The chamber will send out payments to businesses on a biweekly basis for sales made with BG Bucks, according to the chamber’s website. Merchants will be reimbursed 95% of face value for the certificates, with the remaining 5% covering a processing fee.

Johnson said this idea has been done before, when she worked at a chamber of commerce in Michigan.

She said BG Bucks will be a permanent fixture for the chamber “hopefully for many years to come.”

“It’s been something that I’ve been wanting to bring to Bowling Green,” she said. “It’s just a phenomenal way to help keep the dollars local, help promote the local businesses and encourage local gift giving.”

Business accepting BG Bucks include the chamber itself along with Anna’s Greek Restaurant, Exquisite Detailing, J and T Landscaping Company, Mellow Mushroom and Mill House Cafe. A full list can be found on the BG Bucks webpage and is updated as more businesses come in.