CNNmoney.com recently showcased community campaigns aimed at supporting local, independent businesses through the recession.

With $2 bills and “buy local” promotions, towns are launching their own stimulus efforts to keep local merchants in business….The names and details vary, but the campaigns all share one goal: Educating shoppers about the power their spending has to shape their local business landscape.

One of my favorite stories is from Brewton, Alabama, where Danny Cottrell at the Medical Center Pharmacy gave his 24 employees $16,000 in cash bonuses. He handed each employee an envelope of $2 bills and asked them to donate 15% to a charitable cause and spend the rest at local businesses. 

In addition to a direct cash impact on Brewton’s economy, the $2 bills pass through many hands as  people pay for their purchases and get change, serving as a reminder to buy local.

The best of these campaigns offer concrete actions you can take to keep your local economy healthy during the current recession and beyond.

Check out these buy local actions: 3/50 project, the 10% Shift and the People’s Stimulus Package (inspired by Danny Cottrell).