'People's stimulus package' boosts local economy
REDMOND, Wash. -- A $2 bill may not buy a whole lot these days, but in Redmond, it may actually make a whole lot of change.
"You know, when you get bigger, you're responsible for more. So it's just to give back," said John Noble, who oversees Washington Commercial Painters.
Noble decided since business was good, he'd paint the town green.
"I'd always heard at home that if you want change in the world, that you better start with yourself," said employee Don Little.
To start, each of the company's 200 employees in three states got $50 each - all in $2 bills - on two different occasions this summer as a part of the "people's stimulus package."
The idea, invented by a man in Alabama, has been embraced by dozens of companies, from Alaska to Florida.
"They were excited about it and happy. And it was a lot of fun," Noble said.
There was one caveat: the employees had to spend the bills at a local business.
Some of the businesses took their $2 bills to the locally-owned Coho Cafe for lunch.
"I thought it was really neat that a company is actually trying to help the local businesses here and promote business. That's really what we need right now," said Elisa Lebman, a Coho Cafe server.
Noble is hoping to boost the local economy with his local stimulus package, and many hope the idea catches on.
"It's a tough environment out there, and we're trying to do our best to dispense some hope," said Little.
"You know, when you get bigger, you're responsible for more. So it's just to give back," said John Noble, who oversees Washington Commercial Painters.
Noble decided since business was good, he'd paint the town green.
"I'd always heard at home that if you want change in the world, that you better start with yourself," said employee Don Little.
To start, each of the company's 200 employees in three states got $50 each - all in $2 bills - on two different occasions this summer as a part of the "people's stimulus package."
The idea, invented by a man in Alabama, has been embraced by dozens of companies, from Alaska to Florida.
"They were excited about it and happy. And it was a lot of fun," Noble said.
There was one caveat: the employees had to spend the bills at a local business.
Some of the businesses took their $2 bills to the locally-owned Coho Cafe for lunch.
"I thought it was really neat that a company is actually trying to help the local businesses here and promote business. That's really what we need right now," said Elisa Lebman, a Coho Cafe server.
Noble is hoping to boost the local economy with his local stimulus package, and many hope the idea catches on.
"It's a tough environment out there, and we're trying to do our best to dispense some hope," said Little.