Howard County Executive Calvin Ball launched the Savage Mill Bucks program this week to bolster local businesses and boost tourism in Historic Savage. The initiative provides $10 vouchers for residents and visitors to spend at more than 70 small businesses in Savage Mill during the summer months.
Photo courtesy of Howard County.
The County committed $10,000 to fund approximately 1,000 vouchers. The program runs from June through August 2025, offering a direct incentive to shop local and explore Savage Mill’s unique retail and service offerings. Shoppers can pick up vouchers at Artcraft at Savage Mill or the Howard County Welcome Center in Ellicott City, while supplies last.
This effort builds on Howard County’s Old Ellicott City Bucks program, which launched in 2018 and delivered a 2-to-1 return on investment. For every $10 voucher, visitors spent more than $20 of their own money at local shops and restaurants.
The Savage Mill Bucks program offers a straightforward and targeted way to support local small businesses during the slower summer season. It also reflects Howard County’s ongoing coordination with partners like Visit Howard County, the Economic Development Authority, and Savage Mill’s longtime owners, the Winer family.
By encouraging residents and visitors to spend locally, the County aims to increase foot traffic and provide small business owners with an additional tool to attract new and returning customers.