Bucking the Dollar With Local Currencies

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Image by: Rebecca Sheir

"The Potomac" debuted in the D.C. area in spring 2009.

Bucking the Dollar With Local Currencies

From: Rebecca Sheir
Length: 00:06:20

Making the local economy go round... by printing your own cash. Read the full description.

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Piece Description

Former South African president Nelson Mandela once said: "Money won't create success. The freedom to make it will."

With the rise of the 'Go Local' movement -- and the recession -- people are putting that statement to the test... literally.

To 'create success' in their local economies, communities are 'making' their own money - in the form of local currencies. At least 150 of these alternative moneys have sprouted nationwide. Rebecca Sheir has the story.

Broadcast History

This story originally aired on WAMU's Metro Connection, 10/30/09, and on WAMU's Morning Edition, 11/9/09.

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

OUTRO:

Apparently Larry Chang's Potomac is on the move. His favorite coffee shop now officially accepts Potomacs, making it the second local business to deal with the local currency.