Additionally, as the ability of community members to access cash has decreased, credit card use has increased. Small business owners in Brushton say that this growth in credit card usage has significantly increased the cost of doing business.
Lastly, one theme that we heard loud and clear across the country was that the loss of a local bank meant the loss of an important civic institution. Banks do not just  - 12 cash checks and make loans--they also place ads in small town newspapers, donate to local nonprofits, and sponsor local Little League teams.