Dear Friends,

September 29th, 2007, marks the one-year anniversary of the BerkShares program.

In his 1984 essay, "The Role of Local Currency in Regional Economic Development" Bob Swann wrote, "when a region begins assuming the power to support their own business needs by issuing their own currencies then we will have taken great strides toward regional self-reliance, greater security, full employment, and an economy of permanence."

In the past year, BerkShares has been in the spotlight of national and international press. Press crews have been ushered around to demonstrate the effect BerkShares are having on our community. Stories from Reuters, The New York Times, The London Times, ABC World News, CBS, BBC, TF1 (France), NTV (Moscow), Dutch Television, and many others have brought remarkable media coverage to the Berkshires and area businesses.

As a community, we have pulled together to achieve unprecedented success. One year into the BerkShares program, we have established:

293                      The number of businesses now participating in the BerkShares program

1,125,000            The number of BerkShares issued to consumers

5                          The number of banks participating in the BerkShares program

11                        The number of branches exchanging federal dollars for BerkShares

No local currency program has reached these markers or level of success in history.

Thank you to all those businesses registered over the past year to participate in the BerkShares program. Without you, these amazing milestones would have never been achieved. You have displayed a unique sense of commitment to your community and the courage to invest in the Berkshires at large. Be proud and Happy Anniversary!

Sincerely,

Laura Fetherolf and the BerkShares Team