By Faithlyn Graham, WV News
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Local businesses across West Virginia are preparing for life without the penny as the U.S. begins phasing out the one-cent coin.
As signs across the country urge customers paying with cash to be ready for rounding, small business owners say they’re watching the change closely but aren’t overly worried — yet.
In February, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Treasury to begin ending production of the penny as part of an effort to reduce unnecessary government spending.
According to the U.S. Mint, 2024 marked the 19th consecutive year the cost of making a penny exceeded its face value, amounting to $117 million in production losses last year alone.
Although pennies won’t stop being made until 2026, circulation has already slowed, creating challenges for cash-reliant small businesses such as food trucks.
Kenneth Tyson, the owner of local food truck Mr. Taco, said it is important for businesses to just be open and honest with customers as changes continue to take place.
