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When money is running short, print your own

Julia Hotz

December 24, 2020 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkshire County, Massachusetts

A community currency was introduced to boost the local economy in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. $133,000 worth of BerkShares, as the currency is known, are in circulation and accepted by small businesses in town. The concept arose from the desire to support “a strong commitment to speak with buying choices.”

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What smaller Texas communities can learn from startups about COVID-19 economic recovery

Alyssa Goard

October 12, 2020 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Texas

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses in Texas are struggling to stay afloat. A university-sponsored crash course might help struggling businesses find solutions catered to their community. Fifty-eight communities participated in the Regional XLR8 program sponsored by the IC institute at the University of Texas at Austin. The “secret sauce” for innovation the institute has used for decades involves getting people to work with one another as opposed to working separately.

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The Shared Spaces program: a crisis-driven experiment that could permanently change San Francisco's urban landscape

Hayden Manseau

September 22, 2020 |

Mission Local |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

The Shared Spaces program is a pandemic-driven initiative that increases outdoor dining space in commercial areas. The initiative made the permit process more user friendly and less expensive. Over 1,200 outdoor dining applications were approved in three months, which is more than the city approved in 2018 and 2019 combined. The increased capacity of outdoor dining seating takes away other public spaces, usually parking and driving space, but the program’s success has helped businesses survive pandemic-related restrictions and officials are assessing the program to maintain it moving forward.

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Truck Convoy Brings Boon to Town Plagued by Violence

Merveille Kavira Luneghe

September 20, 2020 |

Global Press Journal |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kanyabayonga

Truck convoys ensure safer journeys for drivers and their goods around Kanyabayonga, an area that experiences intermittent instability and violence between armed groups. Up to 100 trucks carrying goods like charcoal, bananas, or lumber line up most days and wait for permission to continue their journey. The local economy has benefited, with restaurants and stores popping up to accommodate the influx of people. A ban on night time driving to prevent threats from armed groups has also supported the growth of a hotel industry, with 15 informal hotels now in operation.

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Will API Small Businesses Survive in Post-COVID Era?

Tomoko Nagai Gwen Muranka

September 05, 2020 |

Rafu Shimpo |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Business counseling for struggling entrepreneurs has been crucial for small businesses trying to get back on their feet in the aftermath of the shutdown. The Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program was specifically formed for Asian Pacific Islanders, who failed to find help because of language barriers. API SBP brings together different business communities to work collaboratively and pool resources. In addition to rent relief, navigating changes to PPP, and finding available grant programs, counselors have recently assisted businesses with social media presence and building websites.

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Can Mount Vernon learn from Marion's downtown alley project?

Grant Pepper

August 23, 2020 |

Knox Pages |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Marion, Ohio

The city of Marion, Ohio, has allocated an alley for use as a community hub where diners can eat, families can frolick, and revelers can listen to live music. The space has benefitted the local economy, encouraging residents to come out and support vendors on main street. During the pandemic, it served as a place people could safely gather while enjoying fresh air and a lively atmosphere. The nearby city of Mount Vernon is taking notes from Marion's success.

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Business Unusual: Local manufacturers adapt, preserve jobs, and carry on during pandemic

Sydney Kornegay

July 30, 2020 |

FreshWater Cleveland |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Local businesses in Northeastern Ohio pivoted their operations to manufacture supplies needed to fight Covid-19 in an effort to fill a dire public need while preserving jobs for their employees. Employees were trained in industrial sewing machines to create masks, gowns, and other personal protective equipment for those on the frontlines. A Small Business Recovery grant allowed a distillery to use its existing technology to produce hand sanitizer instead of whiskey. Face shields were particularly tricky to produce effectively but 30 Northeast Ohio companies came together to create a custom product.

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U.S. town creates local currency to boost coronavirus relief

Gregory Scruggs

July 09, 2020 |

Thomson Reuters Foundation |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

Facing the economic strain from the financial fallout caused by the coronavirus crisis, Tenino is printing its own money like it once did in the wake of the Great Depression. The small town in Washington has issued at least $2,500 worth of wooden bills to exclusively be used for small businesses on Main Street. Thirteen residents have applied for the funds and $150 have been spent by residents on necessities as of June. Other small towns across the country have already sent inquiries to the mayor of Tenino, seeking to imitate Tenino's effort.

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Fishermen sell their products at farmers' markets for the first time in Guanacaste

Eduardo Costa

July 03, 2020 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Chamber of Fishermen, known as CPG launched an initiative to help local fisherman making a living during the pandemic. Most of them sold their product to hotels, but due to the pandemic, 140 hotels closed. The initiative, known as Arroz y Frijoles has helped. CPG buys fish from the fishers, then sell it at the farmers’ markets. ““Fortunately, sales have been constant, we’re getting out a few fishes, around 30 to 100 kilos per night.”

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Why a small town in Washington is printing its own currency during the pandemic

Michael Waters

June 12, 2020 |

The Hustle |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tenino, Washington

The town of Tenino, Washington has begun to print their own unique money during the coronavirus pandemic to both ward of the economic fallout and help those who are facing financial insecurity. Similar to efforts from the city's past as well as that of other small towns, the locally-printed wooden dollars can only be spent at local businesses and for basic needs, with the mayor explaining, "Amazon will not be accepting wooden dollars.”

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