Some local business’ throughout Reno and Sparks are participating in a program called Reno Locals Unite, giving discounts and providing service to those who have lived in the area for at least 15 years.

Reno Locals Unite President Gary Oldham is a third generation Reno native and says local business needs to be supported now more than ever.

“We’re finally to the point now where the big box stores,” says Oldham, “are just running everything and these little stores don’t have a direct communication to locals.”

For consumers, a membership card costs 14 dollars a year and gives unlimited 10% discounts to product stores and 15% off at service related shops.

North Valley Cycles owner Karl Young signed up for the program because he says locals support his business year round.

“We just like to help out the local community and give them the best deals available,” says Young.

Beauty Xscape Salon registered just this morning and Juia Campbell says it will help bring in business while providing a needed service.

“We need to keep our smaller businesses open,” says Campbell. “The bigger business kind of need to step aside, a lot of people are hurting nowadays especially because of the economy.”

As of today, about 25 local companies are jumping on board and Reno Locals Unite hopes to have 250 businesses and one thousand members by the end of the year.

“Were getting there,” says Oldham. “Our membership is growing faster than our business membership so we are out there every day looking for business members.”

Oldham says 90 percent of the companies he approaches jump on board for the cause.