BerkShares Launch

September 2009

Dear BerkShares Businesses,

BerkShares, Inc. is pleased that your business is participating in this first year issue of BerkShares, a local currency for Berkshire region.  The intent of the program is to raise consumer awareness about, and support of, our local businesses which are at the heart of our local community and economy.
 
On Friday BerkShares staff picked up the 90,000 newly printed BerkShares (representing 835,000 in value) from Excelsior Press in North Adams and drove them to Berkshire Bank where they were counted and placed in the vault.  On Tuesday the five denominations of BerkShares (ones, fives, tens, twenties, and fifties) were  sorted by serial number and packaged for each of the participating banks—Berkshire Bank's Main Street, Great Barrington branch, Lee Bank's Great Barrington branch, Pittsfield Co-op Bank's Great Barrington branch, and Salisbury Bank and Trust's Sheffield and Egremont branches. The banks are now readying their systems so that this Friday, September 29th, their customers will be able to exchange federal dollars for BerkShares.
 
The BerkShares Users Guide and Directory lists all businesses signed on by September 6th and explains the use of the currency.  We are currently in the process of distributing the Directory in public places throughout South County.  If you would like copies for your business location please call (413) 528-1737 or send a return email.  
 
Our website provides the most updated information and business directory.  New businesses may sign up on-line.  The listings are free.  Please check your own for accuracy and provide any needed updates.  And do encourage new local businesses to join in accepting BerkShares--the wider the circulation of BerkShares, the greater impact in shaping a vibrant local economy.
 
In preparation for the launch on Saturday, we recommend that you prominently post any restrictions you may have on use of BerkShares.  Most businesses are accepting 100% payment in BerkShares for all transactions.  There is much innovation as well.  Snap Shop is placing a one unit BerkShare in every customer's bag, just to elicit the question "What is that?" and begin a dialogue. Ward's will have large bags of daffodil bulbs at a special low price if using BerkShares. Rubiner's has a BerkShares sandwich.  Berkshire Coop has developed store wide signage to promote local products while using local currency.  
 
Berkshire Trade and Commerce's current issue has a full front page story on BerkShares. Berkshire Living has color reproductions of BerkShares in its current issue.  The Chamber of Commerce has organized a launch event for BerkShares at the newly restored Mahaiwe Theater, Friday night September 29th. The time is 7PM.  The price is free.  Smitty Pignatelli is emcee with many wonderful local musicians, and stories of the local heroes featured on the BerkShares.  Look for ads for this event. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce's booth or the Mahaiwe Theater.  
 
Many wonderful people have put time into developing BerkShares program to this point. The BerkShares themselves are beautiful.  If you have not yet seen a reproduction, images are at the web site.  The quality of the currency will further encourage its use and exchange.  But the most important part of BerkShares is you and other members of our local business community. Thanks to you and your colleagues, the Southern Berkshires still has locally owned businesses that provide warm personal service to customers.  You have helped shape an ethic of producing local products for local use, rather than depending on distant manufacturing and transportation systems. You are a fundamental part of building a Berkshire economy that is sustainable.  
 
And you know that your service to the community goes beyond business hours.  You sit on the boards of nonprofit organizations, donate time and products, serve in town government positions.  In short, a healthy local business community is at the heart of a healthy local community.  The BerkShares board of directors wants to thank you for your work and thank you for participating in what will prove to be an historic launch of BerkShares, a local currency for our region.
 
Sincerely,
Susan Witt, Administrator
BerkShares, Inc.
 
 

Board of Directors:  Art Ames, Asa Hardcastle, Louann Harvey, Susan Ingersoll,
David Lazan, Christopher Lindstrom, and Jennifer Sahn.