Parade of Lights, Christmas Scrip kick off on October 27

You may have heard about Scrip loans during the holiday season, but whether you are new to our area, or a long time resident, you may not know the benefits of this community supporting program.

Scrip is a substitute for legal tender, and commonly in the form of credit. It can be traced back to logging and mining days where draws on wages could be done at company stores. In modern times, it’s a way for you to keep your spending local and balance those budget needs during the holiday season.

Residents can apply for up to a $1,000 loan from any local bank (less if you like). Those dollars are provided to you at no interest (yes!) and paid back in 10 monthly installments.

The benefits of using Scrip are twofold. First, the dollars can only be spent locally. Lists of merchants who accept Scrip are available at the Chamber, or just ask your favorite merchant! Most of our businesses in town do accept Scrip. Secondly, it gives you some flexibility of how to spread out the cost impact of those holiday purchases, expenses or big projects, with no interest accruing.

What are some of the ways you could use Scrip? You can definitely use it to buy those holiday gifts, from tools to books and everything in between. Have you been looking at new furniture, or how about that home improvement project? You can use Scrip for that too!

Here are the details. You must apply for a Scrip loan at one of our three local banks. If approved, they will provide you either with a certificate, if you are looking to make one big purchase and know the amount, or a set of Scrip dollars. Scrip will be available starting on October 27, in conjunction with our Parade of Lights. You must make your Scrip purchases by December 24. You will not be permitted to make Scrip-based purchases after that date, with all certificate and dollars void after December 24, 2016. Unused certificates and Scrip dollars can be returned to the bank and credited to the loan amount. Scrip is not redeemable for cash, and no cash refunds.

Still have questions as to whether using Scrip is right for you? Give any of our local banks a call.