One of the challenges facing the local bayshore community is the lack of electronic banking. There are no bank branches or full service ATMs in our township. Banking typically requires a 25 minute ride into a neighboring larger town. We have no high speed Internet and cellular connections are not always reliable.
The effect is that much of the local economy is based on cash. That brings additional challenges and expenses. Businesses that try to move to electronic transactions face challenges and may alienate parts of the customer base
, especially lower income people. CBS News covered this topic today in an article bringing fresh insight into the issue.
We recognize this issue as just one more challenge facing the businesses in our region. There is no easy answer.
