in The Community
Our 300+ participating businesses distinguish themselves as locally owned and community-minded. BerkShares empower the businesses to keep money circulating in the region, thereby contributing to a greater local multiplier effect.
The BerkShares Business of the Month series tells the stories of the organizations that accept our local currency. Each month, a different business operator shares their history, their outlook on local economic resilience, and why they participate with BerkShares.
Let's Keep Money Local!
With BerkShares, we can all support our local economy and keep money with our communities!
Paying in BerkShares also spares small sellers from high credit card processing fees. It’s one choice we can all make that’s good for people, businesses and community.
Join your fellow Berkshire inhabitants in building a resilient, sustainable local economy.
Learn more about how it works and where to spend BerkShares.
About BerkShares
BerkShares are our local currency for the Berkshire region.
Pay with BerkShares as cash at participating businesses in the area, keeping money in local circulation.
Securely backed by US Dollars on reserve with our community banks, BerkShares paper notes are exchangeable for US Dollars at six branch offices of two regional banks, and are accepted at over 300 locally-owned participating businesses.
BerkShares may be obtained in exchange for U.S. Dollars at no additional expense, spent and accepted as cash, and can be redeemed to U.S. Dollars for a 1.5% exchange fee.
Choosing BerkShares is a conscious commitment to buy local.
Taking a personal interest in the health and well-being of our community, BerkShares lays a foundation for a vibrant, more sustainable economy. The currency distinguishes the local businesses that accept it, helping to knit community-minded businesses and inhabitants of the region closer together.
Paying in BerkShares also spares small sellers from high credit card processing fees.
BerkShares, inc. is the place-based, democratically structured non-profit that issues BerkShares.
Since 2006, it has worked in collaboration with participating community banks, area businesses, and local non-profits to strengthen the regional economy through the currency and related pursuits.
As a tool for community economic empowerment, BerkShares furthers greater economic self-reliance for the region in increasingly uncertian times.
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