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Ten years ago, . Kent State Today is following up on that article, looking at the different ways the town-gown relationship is still flourishing. Read more about the background of the relationship here. 

In 2020, Kent State’s Blue, Gold and Grateful $20 gift certificate program was a way to show appreciation to employees, while giving downtown businesses a much-needed boost at the start of the pandemic.  

Now referred to as Kent Card, the Blue, Gold and Grateful employee appreciation program is still going strong. Employees appreciate receiving their $20 Kent Card, which can be spent at participating downtown businesses, and in turn downtown businesses enjoy the influx of customers and thousands of dollars. 

"The Kent Card was so much fun,” said Gwen Rosenberg, owner of Popped! on Main Street. “Customers were excited to have the card to pick up something they might not have otherwise purchased. We saw new customers and welcomed back lots of folks who hadn’t been in since the pandemic." 

As the 2020 holidays were approaching, Kent State initiated the program with  to support participating downtown businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Regional Campuses also participated in a similar program with local businesses in nearby communities.  

Main Street Kent works continuously to find ways to promote downtown businesses and has been more than happy to continue participation in the Blue, Gold and Grateful program, according to Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent. 
 
"It's been awesome to see Kent State's support of our downtown businesses through the Blue, Gold and Grateful employee appreciation program,” Malarcik said. “It's a win-win, with employees feeling the love when they receive it. The Kent Card from Kent State, and our small businesses feel it when the money is spent with them. I know how grateful our business owners are, as this program pushes thousands of dollars into our downtown economy each year, for three years in a row now."  

Mike Mistur, owner of Bent Tree Coffee, said the program generates first time customers, which is integral to maintaining a small business. 

"We are very appreciative of the Kent Card program.” Mistur said. “As a small business, it’s so important to find new customers and the Kent Card brings in a lot of new people, and many became repeat customers." 

And Kent State is committed to continuing to strengthen its ties with the city’s businesses, while showing its employees how special and valued they are to the university. 

“I absolutely love that Kent State continues to invest in our local community in meaningful and sustained ways,” said  Dana Lawless-Andric, Ph.D., associate vice president in Kent State’s Office of University Outreach and Engagement. “We started this program during the pandemic and to see it grow and continue is truly what makes a town and gown partnership so special. To celebrate our amazing employees while also supporting local businesses is a great win-win for everyone.”