The city of Rome, New York has thrown out its 380 parking meters in a move designed to encourage business in the city. Mayor James Brown decided to try free two-hour parking throughout the city after a pilot program without meters proved popular.

"We found out with the three-month study that we went through -- very successful, good feedback," Brown told News 10 TV. "Bringing more people into the downtown area, which was our objective, so we're going to move forward for another year."

Rome earned about $80,000 from its parking meters, an amount Brown believes can be recovered in sales tax revenue by stimulating local economic growth.