YOUNGSTOWN — The city is seeking to grow its YO! App, which provides rewards and encourages economic growth at participating Youngstown businesses.

The city’s economic development division is having an open house 10 a.m. Nov. 5 at Common Goods Studio, 200 Canfield Road, to provide information on the YO! App to businesses and the public.

“It’s a really great platform for Youngstown businesses and encourages people to earn and spend money at those businesses,” said T. Sharon Woodberry, the city’s economic development director. “It’s a great way to stimulate growth at city businesses.”

There are about 80 businesses where people can earn rewards, called “City Bites,” but only about 10 where the rewards can be redeemed, Woodberry said. Each City Bite equals $1 and can be used at businesses that accept the rewards, she said.

The city is seeking to increase participation, particularly because rewards that are redeemed are paid through the city’s business development fund, Woodberry said. The rewards budget is $10,000, she said.

“The issue is getting businesses to redeem,” she said. “It doesn’t cost them anything. The city pays for all of it. They don’t have to budget for cost in any way.”

The app was developed as a way to help local small businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Woodberry said.

“These businesses are the backbone of our economy,” she said.

The city paid $60,000 to Colu Technologies Ltd. for licensing, development and maintenance of the program.

The app can be downloaded from any online app store at no cost by searching for YO! City app. Shoppers need to register a credit, debit or prepaid debit card to link to their app account.

An example of the rewards is a person who has the app can earn15 percent at participating restaurants, up to $30.

The maximum reward for health and beauty businesses is $24 and $25 for general shopping, Woodberry said.

“As you patronize businesses on the app, you get the rewards,” she said.

The city also has special programs such as an offer that allows people to redeem up to $40 at participating women-owned businesses this month, Woodberry said.

Right now, the maximum amount a person can earn and then redeem is $119, she said.

“This is still new to businesses as it was launched in July,” Woodberry said. “The open house will allow people to learn about the app and the opportunities they have. We want to shed more light on the program and we’ll also be advertising it.”