The Baltimore Green Currency Association has started a new effort to support local economies. Residents of Baltimore will now be able to swap a new local currency in exchange for some of their favorite goods in local shops.

According to The Baltimore Sun, “The alternative currency is exchanged for dollars — the first exchange receives a 10 percent discount — and then is circulated among communities through use at 55 locations across the city."

At the early stages of the recent economic downturn, Campaign Consultation worked with community and business leaders in the Charles Village Community of Baltimore City to establish local "Chuck Bucks" ... Which morphed into a community wide Buy Local campaign.

This are but two of many alternative currency and innovative economy initiatives launched by local communities ... The most well know of which is "Ithaca Hours" which was started by residents of the upstate New York town where Cornell University is based.