Oakland County Kicks Off Local Gems Sweepstakes – Support Local Businesses, Enter to Win

Oakland County Launches Native Gemstone Sweepstakes – Assist Native Companies, Enter & Win

(Oakland County, October 31, 2025)

Pontiac, MI – Oakland County right now kicked off the Native Gems Sweepstakes 2025, a month-long marketing campaign encouraging residents to buy native and help small companies throughout the county. The launch occasion came about at Designed Mindfully in downtown Pontiac.

“Small companies are the spine of Oakland County’s economic system, giving our communities character and serving to our downtowns thrive,” stated Oakland County Government Dave Coulter. “The Native Gems Sweepstakes is a enjoyable strategy to increase consciousness and help them, particularly as we enter the vacation purchasing season.”

Going down from November 1 to 30, the Native Gems Sweepstakes invitations consumers to go to small companies in Oakland County and publish a selfie taken inside or exterior the enterprise for an opportunity to win $1,000, $500 or $250, courtesy of Genisys Credit score Union. Every selfie taken at a distinct small enterprise will depend as a separate entry, growing members’ probabilities of successful by random drawings.

“At Genisys, we’re deeply rooted in our neighborhood, which is why we’re proud to help initiatives just like the Native Gems Sweepstakes of Oakland County,” stated Jackie Buchanan, president and CEO of Genisys Credit score Union. “Buying native is not only a transaction; it is an funding that strengthens our small companies and builds a united neighborhood. We encourage everybody to find our native treasures and store native this vacation season.”

The marketing campaign is organized by Oakland County Financial Improvement in partnership with Genisys Credit score Union, Fundamental Road Oakland County and Oakland Thrive. Since its inception, Native Gems has helped drive native spending and highlight the small companies that form the province’s various and vibrant economic system.

“Annually, this marketing campaign helps residents uncover new favorites whereas supporting legacy staples in their very own neighborhoods,” stated Dom Holmes, director of Oakland County Financial Improvement. “After we store native, we make investments straight in our neighborhood.”

Final 12 months, almost 500 distinctive small companies in 47 communities had been submitted as Native Gems. The highest 10 corporations that acquired probably the most entries, together with ties, had been:

1. Hobbytown, Southfield
2. AM2PM Barber Store, Southfield; and It is the Little Issues, Ortonville
3. Thoughtfully designed, Pontiac; and Vibrant Vizionz, Oak Park
4. Affect North, Ortonville
5. Bizzy Buzz Craft Market, Rochester; and Monarch House Design, Holly
6. Hamilton’s Feed and Gasoline, Ortonville; Marcia Hovland Studio Gallery, Royal Oak; and Street Much less Traveled Bookstore, Farmington
7. Modified designs, Holly; and Bijou Salon and Spa, Farmington
8. Bittersweet Cafe, Holly; Catching Fireflies, Berkley; My new favourite factor, Waterford; and surprising Craft Brewing Firm, Oak Park
9. Design to Shine Salon, Madison Heights; Noelle the Stylist Studio, Madison Heights; and Uncle Joe’s Hen Fingers, Southfield
10. Salinair Salt Room Spa, Rochester Hills; and Crave Diet, Waterford

“We had been happy with the highest three most entries for the 2024 Native Gems Sweepstakes,” stated Deya Marchand, proprietor of Designed Mindfully in Pontiac. “Our prospects see us as greater than a retailer. We’re an area the place neighborhood, creativity and aware dwelling come collectively. The Native Gems marketing campaign aligns fantastically with our mission to stay and store with function, whereas supporting different small companies and native artists.”

Small enterprise homeowners can decide up Native Gems Sweepstakes posters and playing cards whereas provides final to assist promote the marketing campaign. Supplies can be found by Oakland County Financial Improvement. For full sweepstakes particulars and official guidelines, go to OakGov.com/ShopSmall.

“At Oakland Thrive, we’re proud to face with Oakland County and our companions in strengthening the small companies that gas our native economic system,” stated Camille Walker-Banks, CEO of Oakland Thrive. “Initiatives just like the Native Gems Sweepstakes not solely shine a light-weight on the creativity and resilience of our entrepreneurs – they remind residents that each buy made regionally strengthens our communities and creates a long-lasting impression.”

Comply with and share on social media utilizing @AdvantageOak, #OaklandCounty and #LocalGemOC.

Save this message as a PDFPrint this message