Think Local First disappointed at turnout for local currency forums; 3rd meeting is Wednesday

Organizers hoping to gauge interest in a local currency for Washtenaw County say they've been disappointed by the light turnout at two community meetings in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti last week.

But they'll have a third shot with a final public meeting on Wednesday, March 3 at Vitosha Guest Haus Inn.Â The public is welcome to drop in any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Based on input from the meetings, put on by Think Local First - an organization that promotes individual businesses in Washtenaw County - the local currency idea may move forward or be shelved.

Last week's events - at the Ann Arbor District Library and Ypsilanti Senior Center - were poorly attended, said Ingrid Ault, executive director of Think Local First.

“What this has told us is that if we were to move forward, it would require more information on our part,” Ault said. “It’s been a little sad. What we really hoped to accomplish is a dialog in the community, and that hasn’t happened. Currency automatically implies dollars to people and they aren’t really aware of the different options.”

Think Local First received a $6,000 grant from theÂ Ann Arbor Downtown Development AuthorityÂ to researchÂ different kinds of local currency.Â

Think Local First chose four options, which include:

Paper currency, where local money is printed and used much like the federal currency. It could only be spent at participating businesses and could include a discount.
Time share currency, where participants would earn local currency by working and spend it at local businesses.
Barter currency, where participants register online for a nominal fee to list goods and services they have to offer.
Coupon currency, where currency is printed in various denominations that could be used toward making purchases at local participating businesses.

Business owners expressed mixed reactions to the idea.

“It’s great that people trying to do something like that, but there’s probably other areas that could be looked at,” said Eddie Phelps, owner of Fast Eddie’s Music in downtown Ypsilanti.

Kim Anderson, the general manager of Club Divine in downtown Ypsilanti, said she's against a barter system.

“Our prices are set that way for reason," Anderson said. "But we don’t have any issues with coupons,”

Other business owners are embracing the idea of a Washtenaw County currency.

“I think it’s a great concept to help raise awareness about what is in the community rather than what’s available in the big boxes,” said Vicki Honeyman, owner of Vicki’s Wash & Wear Haircuts and Heavenly Metal in downtown Ann Arbor.

Brian Brinkley, the owner of The Tap Room in Ypsilanti, agreed.

“Obviously anything you can do to get people into downtown Ypsi where the parking isn’t great, and especially if it creates a better value by being paid for in part by another organization," Brinkley said. "But it’s only a tool to get people in the door in the first time and then it’s up to businesses and the community to create a viable and vibrant safe shopping district.”

John Garcia is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.