Today, Niantic announced the start of its new program to support small businesses by upgrading them to Pokestops and Gyms. Called the Local Business Recovery Initiative, Niantic will be sponsor༺ing 1,000 local businesses at no cost.
In a letter, Niantic seniꦬor product manager Carla Li explained that the initiative is designed to help revitalize local communities and show an appreciation for the range of businesses and services in the neighborhoods where we live and play.
The initiative was announced earlier this summer and Pokemon GO players in U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., and Japan were given the opportunity to nominate small businesses in their community that would make a great fit for sponsorship. Of tho🦂se nominated, 1,000 were selected, and the first round of sponsorships off✨icially started today.
Among those selected include Fi𒐪ve Girls Baking, a family-run bakery i𓄧n Nova Scotia, CIBER LEKAR, a hobby shop in Mexico, and Blitzkrieg Chop, a hair shop in West Sussex U.K. that hosts Pokemon GO community days.
The selected businesses won't just be turned into Pokestops or Gyms, they'll also have the opportunity run promotional campaigns to further connect ꦰwith their local communities.
After four years Pokemon GO is still one of the world's most popular game and having a Pokestop at your business still hasꦡ the potential to drive a lot of traffic. Niantic could potentially be giving these businesses a significant boost in local interest thanks to this initiative.