Economic groups partner with BlendCard

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Marion Chamber of Commerce and Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance are partnering with customer rewards program BlendCard.

The Iowa City-based business allows cardholders access to coupons, loyalty rewards and gift cards to participating local businesses. Customers manage their rewards from a computer, tablet or phone.

Businesses also benefit from the program, which provides valuable data like customer purchasing behaviors.

More than 100 Eastern Iowa businesses have signed up for BlendCard, which offers a variety of deals to the about 12,000 people who've registered for the free rewards card.

Marion Chamber and Economic Alliance members will receive a special rate on their BlendCard fee. The initial $100 setup fee also has been waived for members of both organizations.

A portion of BlendCard fees paid are set aside to provide additional marketing of the card itself, which puts participating business names and offers in the pockets of more customers.

BlendCard announced a similar partnership with the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce in October.