[Source: Brittany Gansar, Special to the Republic] — Downtown Phoenix businesses are taking part in the Arizona State University Sun Dollar program as a way to reach out to a new set of customers: college students. The Sun Dollar program is a pre-paid service with an account that runs through the ASU Sun Card Office. It’s similar to a debit card. Money is put into the account and when checking out at a store, or paying for a meal, the Sun Card is presented to any of the participating merchants.
Various merchants around Tempe, and now Phoenix, accept the Sun Dollars for food and retail items. Sometimes discounts are given when the Sun Card is used. There are currently around 110 merchants that are working with the Sun Dollar program. Between 85 and 90 percent of the vendors are in Tempe, according to the manager of the Sun Card Office, Andrew Perkins.
With the finishing of the light rail in sight, ASU is primarily focusing on getting Valley merchants near the downtown, polytechnic, and west campuses involved in Sun Dollars, said Perkins. “The program is growing and popularity is growing,” said Perkins. “This program is not about making money. It’s about adding comfort and flexibility for students. Nobody wants to eat the same food everyday.”
Downtown Voices Coalition 