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BerkShares Turns Three02:18PM / Tuesday, September 29, 2009
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — BerkShares, the Berkshires' own local currency, is turning 3, which means its Melvilles, Rockwells and Van Ens have been commingling with the Federal Reserve's greenbacks for three years and running.
In that time, nearly 2.5 million BerkShares have been circulated through the community, primarily in South County and parts of Central Berkshire. Roughly 400 businesses have signed up to accept them, and many more do so informally. Thirteen branches of five local banks exchange them. What The New York Times called a "great economic experiment" is stronger than ever as it enters its fourth year.
Begun before the foundations of the global economic system began to falter, BerkShares were designed as a tool to build wealth locally, to keep a portion of the county's hard-earned cash from lining the pockets of faraway companies and CEOs. Given current economic conditions, BerkShares are more essential than ever, say its backers.
To note its 3rd birthday, BerkShares will be the featured group at the Wednesday, Oct. 7, Green Drinks, an eco-conscious happy hour that takes place on the first Wednesday of every month.
Organized by Orion magazine, the Great Barrington Green Drinks is a chance for folks interested in local issues, from education to agriculture, business and the arts, to come together and share what they're working on. It will include a short presentation on the accomplishments and goals of BerkShares told through the theatricality of the Buy Local Sock Puppet Troupe. The festivities begin at 5:15 at the Route 7 Grill, 999 South Main St. (Route 7).
The Route 7 Grill has also dreamed up a special BerkShares birthday menu, specially priced for those paying with BerkShares. For $30 Berkshires (or $38 in greenbacks) diners can enjoy the fixed price, all-local Equinox Farm salad greens; Sheffield Foods Farm natural roast suckling pig, stuffed with apple and sweet potato stuffing with Taft Farm vegetables on the side, and Windy Hill Apple Crisp for dessert.
The Route 7 Grill is the one of Berkshire County’s leading farm-to-table restaurant, and a supporter of BerkShares.
Visit one of the 13 branches of Berkshire Bank, Lee Bank, Lenox National Bank, Pittsfield Co-op Bank, and Salisbury Bank & Trust to buy BerkShares in advance of the birthday celebration.
To find out which businesses accept BerkShares, which branch banks exchange them, or for other information about BerkShares, call 413/528-1737 or visit www.berkshares.org. |
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