This is the conclusion of a one hour documentary on the Ithaca Hours, the oldest printed paper community currency in the US. Founded in 1991 by Paul Glover, Ithaca Hours have been in continuous use, their popularity rising and diminishing with fluctuations in the overall economy.
You will hear interviews with an employee of Green Star, the Ithaca food coop, and with a woman who accepts Ithaca Hours for rent and describes traditional New England farm barter. The program ends with a long interview with a banker. Bill Myers was manager of the Alternatives Federal Credit Union in Ithaca. He explains why the bank supports the community currency, and accepts Ithaca Hours for select services. The Credit Union includes Ithaca Hours in their payroll for those employees who request that a portion of their salary gets paid in Ithaca Hours. Myers explains how the bank treats the community currency in the trays of the tellers and in the vault, in payroll reporting, and in regard to taxes - an eye opening, helpful and intriguing report.
This documentary is based on my 3 day visit to Ithaca, NY, in 1995, updated and fact checked in February 2014.
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