Local currencies grow during economic recession.

• Author: Block, Ben
• Position: EYE ON EARTH - Brief article

More communities are creating their own "complementary" currencies in an effort to keep wealth in their region.

The Berkshare, available in the Berkshires region of the U.S. Northeast, is among the most successful alternatives to the dollar. Since the currency's launch two years ago, five local banks have printed more than 2 million paper notes. About 185,000 are still in circulation, according to Susan Witt, a Berkshare co-founder.

Alternative currencies frequently appear when mainstream...