With new senior discount program, Nassau comptroller aims to support small business

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A new senior discount program in Nassau County aims to help both the region’s older adults and drive traffic to its small businesses.

With the program, small businesses in Nassau can sign up online to be included in a directory of senior discounts that the comptroller’s office.

“Nassau County is rich with small businesses but this program is open to all businesses throughout the County,” Elaine Phillips, the Nassau County comptroller, said in a statement.

“When these businesses do well, so does the County because sales tax accounts for roughly 40 percent of the county’s revenue,” she added. “This new program will benefit our deserving seniors, businesses and the local economy.”

The initiative comes at a time when an estimated 300,000 residents, ages 60 and older, live in Nassau County, where there are about 45,000 small businesses with 50 employees or less, as well as many large companies, according to the comptroller’s office. The new program is designed to help participating small businesses garner higher visibility and new customers.

“The Council is always looking for ways to connect local businesses with new customers,” Frank Camarano, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, said in statement. “This great initiative will expand seniors’ opportunities to explore new stores and restaurants at a discount; what could be better than that?”

Phase one features the launch of a sign-up portal where local businesses can register for inclusion in the Senior Discount Program. Registration is free and the program is open to all Nassau County businesses.

Once the list reaches suitable geographic and business-type diversity, a list will be printed and made available at senior centers, senior events and County offices. An online, mobile friendly list will also be published.

Registration will be ongoing and the list will be updated periodically.