---
title: VCEDC Stripe Payment Gateway Activation
type: article
created: '2026-04-05'
updated: '2026-04-05'
source_docs:
- raw/2025-12-15-hold-launch-vcedc-website-108889830.md
tags:
- stripe
- vcedc
- payments
- post-launch
- integrations
layer: 2
client_source: null
industry_context: null
transferable: true
---

# VCEDC Stripe Payment Gateway Activation

## Overview

The VCEDC WordPress site includes a Stripe payment gateway integration that was intentionally left inactive during the staging and pre-launch phase. Activation is a post-launch task, dependent on the site being live at its production URL. Credentials are stored in LastPass.

See also: [[wiki/clients/vcedc/_index]] | [[wiki/knowledge/dns/vcedc-dns-migration-plan]]

---

## Current State (Pre-Launch)

- Stripe is **plugged in but not active** on the staging site.
- The payment option will not function until the site is live on the production domain (`VilasCountyEDC.org`).
- Activation requires access to the client's Stripe account credentials, which are stored in **LastPass**.

> "When we go live, there is a Stripe option to pay that might not — right now it's not live because the site's not live... He has it plugged in, he just doesn't have it active yet."
> — Melissa Cusumano

---

## Activation Procedure

Perform these steps **after** the DNS migration is complete and the production site is confirmed live.

1. **Confirm production site is live** — verify `VilasCountyEDC.org` resolves to the new WordPress site.
2. **Retrieve Stripe credentials** — locate the VCEDC Stripe account credentials in LastPass.
3. **Activate the gateway** — log in to the WordPress admin on production and switch the Stripe plugin from test/inactive mode to live mode using the production API keys.
4. **Verify payment flow** — perform a test transaction or confirm the payment UI is rendering correctly on the live site.
5. **Notify client** — confirm with Tracy/Kathy that payments are active and functional.

> "We probably have to be on the phone with her and access our Stripe account... we have it in LastPass."
> — Mark Hope / Melissa Cusumano

---

## Dependencies

| Dependency | Status | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| DNS migration complete | Pending | Mark Hope |
| Production site live | Pending | Mark Hope |
| LastPass credentials available | Confirmed | Mark Hope |
| Client (Tracy) notified | Pending | Melissa Cusumano |

---

## Notes

- Do **not** attempt to activate Stripe while the site is still on the staging URL — the live API keys are domain-sensitive and the payment flow will not work correctly.
- A call with the client (Kathy/Tracy) may be needed to coordinate activation, particularly if the client needs to verify or update their Stripe account settings.
- This task is tracked as an action item assigned to Mark Hope in the launch meeting.

---

## Related

- [[wiki/knowledge/dns/vcedc-dns-migration-plan]]
- [[wiki/meetings/2026-04-05-vcedc-website-launch-hold]]
- [[wiki/clients/vcedc/_index]]