Several weeks ago, I came across this awesome community that does amazing things with money. Forget the dollar, in Southern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, it’s all about BerkShares.

The community is using their own printed note as a way of celebrating local heroes and rebelling against globalization. Regular dollars are exchanged for BerkShares and used at participating stores. Since its inception, it has brought back business to many of the mom and pop shops.

BerkShares hopes to one day provide loans to encourage start-up homes within the Southern Berkshire community.

-–Shammara S. H.