While many trends come and go, the push to shop local as an alternative to shopping the “big boxes” is gaining momentum. In fact, many small towns across the country are kicking things up a notch, by using their own colorful currencies. Take for example, the small mountain community of Southern Berkshire, Massachusetts, where local residents exchange their U.S. currency for colorful bills called “BerkShares”. Available in 1-, 5-, 10-, 20- and 50-unit denominations, residents use this “funny money” at more than 400 local businesses. What’s more… with the current exchange rate of 95 U.S. dollars to 100 BerkShares, the currency offers residents greater buying power. It gets better… to keep the BerkShares in circulation, the local bank is even involved… charging merchants 5% if they try to exchange the currency for U.S. dollars! How’s that for boosting the local economy?
This is just one of many examples of how communities across the country are banding together with their neighbors to stimulate not only conversation, but the local economy too during tough times. And it’s not all idle chatter…. use of alternative currencies is also stimulating even more conversation about other creative solutions for supporting local merchants. Want to learn more? Click here for the full article on CNN.com.
“Successful people …just love what they’re doing,
and they love it in front of others.”
The Word According to Mr. Rogers by Fred Rogers
Wikipedia: the definition: —used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance. →
Visions of Holley 