According to Steve Hacket, Humboldt State University economics professor, alternative currency projects can benefit towns in more than one way. They are not magical. They can't solve all the problems. And it commits currency. Eventually dollars leak out of a community.
Alternative currency slows that process.
It's a way to move forward in a community that's completely voluntary anything that gets people thinking about the value of money and where it comes from. According to member Susan Gaydos, the group is not expecting local businesses to jump on board with both feet. In fact, the group figures interested retail operations may want to start small, accepting Clams for only a tiny percentage of purchases. Eventually, if enough community and business support is there, employees may want to accept part of their paychecks in Clams. Some confusion may arise from the fact that there is already another Humboldt County currency in circulation.