Government workers will be given discounts at 25 North East Hamilton businesses as part of a new initiative to encourage people to shop local.Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson yesterday announced the “EEZy Shopping, Dining and Living” campaign, which will run until June 30.Speaking from Dr EF Gordon Park, she said: “Just a few blocks away, you would have noticed the brand new Dame Lois Browne Evans building is now complete and bustling with activity. So we thought what better way to welcome our new neighbours to our neighbourhood.”The Minister added: “You will recall that last December the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation partnered with the Chamber of Commerce in the Shop Local Campaign to encourage residents to spend their dollars here at home.“The main aims of the campaign were simple to stimulate our economy and to show our support for our local businesses. Today we are pleased to expand this campaign with the introduction of two new programmes.“For the past several weeks the Economic Empowerment Zones Agency (EEZA) has worked to develop a great value savings initiative for Government workers as well as the creation of the “EEZy Grooves in the Park”.“First a bit about the Government workers’ savings programme. Just a few blocks away you would have noticed that the brand new Dame Lois Browne Evans Building is now complete and bustling with activity.“This state of the art facility, which houses workers from Magistrates’ Court, the Bermuda Police Service and others is now formally located in the EEZ. So we thought what better way to welcome them to our neighbourhood than by launching the ‘EEZy Shopping, Dining and Living’ campaign.“The EEZA worked with business owners in this area to develop a value savings programme that will allow all Civil Servants in all realms of Government to receive special discounts from participating stores and businesses in the North East Hamilton EEZ.”Government staff will be able to get discounts at more than 25 participating businesses in the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ) such as the Island-Hi Eatery, the Heritage Bookstore and Double W Entertainment by showing their Government-issued picture ID.Sen Wilson said “EEZy Grooves in the Park,” will offer live music every Friday between 11am and 2pm until June 24.“Fridays will feature a variety of talented musicians whose sole aim will be to delight, entertain and engage our community and visitors alike this summer.“I encourage you to take it ‘EEZy’ this summer by participating in the ‘EEZy” shopping, dining, living Civil Service discount programme and by hanging out in the Dr EF Gordon Park for the ‘EEZy Grooves in the Park.’“A free concert and a value savings initiative, I for one couldn’t think of a better way to engage and embrace our people and our heritage.”A spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said that, while the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation wanted to welcome Government workers to the EEZ, they intend to roll out a promotion later this summer for the general public.Business owner Terry Smith said: “It’s a great atmosphere here. Now we can make it much more positive.”Useful websites: www.gov.bm, www.bsbdc.bm.