What if boosting your local economy was as simple as showing people where to go? Turns out, it is. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel; you just need the right map.

Interactive digital maps do more than give directions. They spark local spending, build community pride, and support small business growth. When people know what’s nearby and feel inspired to explore, they’re more likely to shop, eat, visit, and support.

At Proxi, we make it easy to create maps that do just that. Whether you’re running a holiday shop-local campaign, organizing restaurant week, or hosting a “Best Of” competition, an interactive map helps people connect with the places (and businesses!) that make your community special.

Why Maps Matter for Local Economies

Let’s be real: most people stick to what they know. They shop at the same stores, eat at the same restaurants, and often miss out on the incredible small businesses just around the corner.

That’s where interactive maps make a real difference. A great map doesn’t just show what’s nearby it makes it easy to find and explore new places AND generates real foot traffic.

The result? More foot traffic. More sales. More community engagement.

Maps aren’t just helpful, they’re powerful tools to boost local businesses and energize your local economy.

Proxi Maps in Action

Holiday Shopping Guides

Turn holiday shopping into a local adventure! With Proxi’s passport challenge feature, you can guide shoppers to participating businesses, track visits, and reward engagement - all from an interactive map. Users can check off stops, submit entries to raffles, and unlock special offers just by exploring local.

Why it works: People love a challenge - especially one with rewards. By gamifying the shopping experience and rewarding local purchases, you create buzz, increase foot traffic, and keep dollars in your community.

Perfect for: Chambers of commerce, main street orgs, and small business coalitions

Example: Blue Springs Chamber - Buy Blue Holiday Challenge

Restaurant Week Maps

Make dining out an experience to remember. Use Proxi to highlight participating restaurants, showcase menus and specials, and let people filter by neighborhood or cuisine. Add direct links for reservations, online ordering, or even menu previews to make it easier than ever to dine local.

Why it works: Scrolling through a list is boring. A colorful, clickable map that makes it easy to find food nearby (and actually see what’s on the menu!) is a much tastier experience. Plus, it's mobile-friendly for on-the-go diners!

Perfect for: City Tourism Boards, Economic Development Groups, Chambers of Commerce, and nonprofit organizations.

Example: Long Island Resturant Week

Best Of Voting Competitions

Put your local favorites on the map! Use Proxi to let community members vote for their favorite spots across categories like “Best Pizza,” “Cutest Bookstore,” or “Most Instagrammable Patio.” Winners can be featured with badges, custom CTAs, and extra visibility on the map.

Why it works: People love sharing opinions and championing local favorites. These maps build buzz, drive traffic to small businesses, and create great content for social media and newsletters. It’s community engagement and business promotion rolled into one.

Perfect for: Newspapers, local media, newsletters, tourism campaigns

Example: GVL Today's Best