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Berkshares: Local Currency

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Incentivize Local Spending

Here is an amusing reminder that local currency is thriving. Our animated anchorman tells us that the Berkshare, from Great Barrington, MA is the farthest reaching local currency, and that more than 2 million dollars worth has been printed.

He points out: "Local businesses take it-- WalMart and Amazon don't."

Susan Witt, a co-founder of Berkshares explains that there is a committed consumer group that uses the Berkshare, and it has incentivized local spending especially in the downturn.

This is great news because money that is spent on local businesses reverberates through the community. Out of $100: if spent in a locally owned store, $40 will be spent again locally (advertising, accountants, managers etc) If spent in a national chain, only $13 will stay in the community.

--Bibi Farber

This video was produced by Good News