Get $1,000 to Shop Locally For A Week

glass window of a small business store front

The “Shop Locally For A Week” application window is now closed.

illustration of a sign that says, sorry we're closed.

We’ll Pay You BIG To Shop Small

The past couple of years has made us live our lives differently. We've found new ways to eat, stream, work, and shop. Now more than ever, small businesses rely on our hard-earned money to stay afloat during an unprecedented time. As we continue to traverse this new normal, we want to do our part in helping small businesses continue to grow in person and online, and we need your help.

We're giving one lucky applicant $1,000 to shop locally for a week. Shopping small is excellent for the environment and the neighborhood, boosting economic growth for everyone in the community while sourcing materials locally, reducing gas emissions from transportation. Not only will we give you $1,000 to shop small, but we'll tack on an additional $1,000 to pocket for yourself (we'd recommend continuing to shop small).

Our Expectations for Your Shopping Experience

We're looking for someone excited about shopping small who wants to support local businesses not just for the challenge but for the right reasons. We want this experience to be life-changing for the applicant and the community they live in. All you have to do is tell us all about it.14 We expect you to eat from at least three local restaurants, shop in at least seven different stores, and get your groceries from local mom-and-pop shops. This is the most extensive small-business shopping experience out there.

What You’ll Get

$1,000 on us to spend at local businesses, shops, restaurants, etc., for a whole week. No big box stores or online conglomerates. Just local spending for the community.

After your challenge is complete, you'll get an additional $1,000 just for you to spend however you choose.

How To Apply

Before we send out the $1,000 for you to shop with, we'll need you to answer a few questions so we can get to know you a little bit better. Why do you shop locally? Do you own a small business yourself? Why do you want to shop small for a week? Fill out the application below and don't forget to submit a video telling us why we should pick you for this unique opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my application was received?

We'll send out an email confirmation, so you know that we know that you've applied! If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam folder—it sometimes winds up there.

How do I submit/attach additional info?

Outside of what's asked of you in this application form, you will not be able to submit or attach any additional information, including pictures, resumes, or funny GIFs. Sorry for the minor inconvenience.

How will I know if I am chosen for the challenge?

We will let all applicants know by June 10th, 2022, whether they have been selected for the challenge via email. Be on the lookout for an email from Business.CenturyLink.com.

Help. The submission form isn’t working.

Easy, easy. Let's make sure you've done your part first:

Leave no space unanswered—fill in all of the required fields.
Ensure that you entered a valid US ZIP code as only US residents aged 18 and older can enter.
Make sure you don't write more than 2,000 characters for the entire application, as that's the maximum character limit.
Write at least 100 characters (approximately 12 words) on why you think it’s important to shop locally
Please only enter numbers into the phone number field. Leave all dashes and parentheses at home. e.g., 8010001919 instead of (801) 000-1919
Try refreshing your screen if the application form doesn't load. If you are on a mobile device, consider switching to a laptop or computer.

Are you still having issues? Contact media@business.centurylink.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Where is the form, and how do I apply?

It looks like you flew right past it. No worries—click here to get back to the application.

When is the deadline to apply?

We will be closing all applications on May 31st, 2022 at 11:59:59 PM MST. So time is probably running out.

When will you announce the winner?

We plan on announcing the winner on June 13th, barring any unforeseen issues. Hopefully, it's YOU we'll be talking about.

Are you affiliated with any local businesses?

No. Business.CenturyLink.com is conducting this dream challenge. It is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by any local businesses.

I’m a member of the media and have additional questions.

Oh, hey media. Love to have you here. Please email media@business.centurylink.com with any questions you may have.