Alzira (Valencia) coined its own money

Alzira (Valencia) coined its own money to revitalize their businesses and shops
Europa Press, 8.11.2011
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3515259/11/11/alzira-valencia-tiene-previsto-instaurar-una-moneda-propia-para-revitalizar-sus-comercios-.html


The town already had its own currency in 1937, during the Civil War


One of the shops in Alzira. Image: Europa Press TV

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The City Council of the Valencian town of Alzira is planning to establish a kind of currency itself, which paid its grants and subsidies to alcireños and that they can only be used in businesses and shops in the locality.

It is a measure to "encourage" local trade and a way for "the money stays in Alzira Alzira."
In this sense, the Councillor for Economic Development of Alzira, José Luis Palacios, recalled that the town already had its own currency in 1937 and now is not able to form "the concept that coin we all have paper or metal" Although told Europa Press Television n which is a payment system used to "help trade and economy."

The session of Alzira has not yet defined the system that these payments be made, whether it is a payment card or a credit card type, whileinaugurating plans in the next fiscal year, from 1 to in January . Citizens will use these letters or cards in local shops and then redeem these establishments should these 'vouchers' for euros at City Hall.

Palacios said that will enable these cards or payment cards "to grant that all those in employment, housing or education" that a company receives from the municipality or citizen, "the need to use mandatory" Alzira shops . "Ultimately, this is money that is generated in Alzira will not be used outside, but to stay here," he added.
"We must help local businesses and the economy," said Palacios, who added that "every council has a responsibility to help your local trade and not to other populations."

As of January

The City Council is scheduled to start this system with the aid granted to promote employment for some 500,000 euros. Has not quantified what this initiative can make to the local economy, according to Palacios, "is very difficult to know what the citizens spend about € 800,000 euros or a million in municipal aid leaving."
The mayor recalled that Alzira and had "its own currency" during the Civil War, although it was 'put in place' now will not "our concept paper and metal." "But somehow it is a local currency, taking into account that today the payment method most used by companies and the administration is not effective," he said.
In this regard, the official chronicler of the town and municipal archivist, said Alzira and minted its own currency in 1937, like other municipalities, but only lasted for eight or nine months. "They tried to lighten local businesses and that it could make your transactions as usual," he said.
The archivist, Aureliano Lairon, explained that the City was an issue for 50,000 pesetas in 1937, in denominations of 0.25, 0.50 cents and a quarter. This own currency, he said, the dealer changed at the end of the day by state money, "contributed largely to activate local commerce."

"Expenses wherever you want"

Most merchants and citizens of Alzira frown this initiative , as they say will help promote trade and revitalize the town. However, there are those who, like Pepa, believes that everyone has to spend money "wherever and in whatever he wants."
In this regard, said that if the City gives money, the citizen must use "as it deems appropriate" and should not say "where you'd have to spend." "Surely you spend it in town, but I do not like being told where you've got to spend," he said.
For Bibiana is a "good measure" and make sure the money stays in the municipality."If the money is from the people of the town, I feel good that trade back here," he said.
In the same vein, Julia said that if the money that gives the City "is that we have all taxpayers" is "fair" that they "spend it in Alzira." Ramon, meanwhile, believes it is an idea "great" that serve to "revitalize" the trade and, especially, like him self.