‘Pelican Pound’ encourages shopping local in Ocean Springs

Not sure if you know but there’s a new currency in town in Ocean Springs to help the tourism industry.

To encourage locals and tourists to shop downtown the City of Ocean Springs is introducing the Pelican Pound. The coin is worth $5 dollars and is made of wood. The idea is to keep dollars in the local economy.

The Pelican Pound was first introduced a decade ago but now the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Main Street and Tourism Bureau has decided to bring it back.

Pelican pounds will circulate for the summer months. The campaign ends in September.

Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Sutton explains how Pelican Pounds will work. “These coins can be used at any of the participating locations. And this just brings, it helps brings impact to our community. Whether its visual impact by coming and visiting or dollars by tourism impact, revenue.”

To find out what businesses except the currency, visit oceanspringschamber.com.