Thinking Local, Act Local, Go Local
Local economies are the backbone of our current and future quality of life. This page has links to resources and organizations that promote local economic development.
BALLE- The Business Alliance For Local Communities
Billed as North America's fasted growing network of socially responsible businesses, BALLE promotes that local, independent businesses are the most potent change agents. "BALLE believes in the power of bottom-up, networked change."
Balle has a valuable website, and many programs which you can access by clicking on the image to the left.
Balle has a valuable website, and many programs which you can access by clicking on the image to the left.
Michael Shuman
Author and activist, Michael Shuman has written "The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses are Beating the Global Competition";
and Going Local: Creating Self-reliant Communities in the Global Age.
Review of Going Local
Blog-Small Mart.Org
and Going Local: Creating Self-reliant Communities in the Global Age.
Review of Going Local
Blog-Small Mart.Org
Seattle Good Business Network, formerly BALLE Seattle
Helping to create a sustainable business community in Seattle
Buffalo First
Buffalo New York local business network designed to help to build a local, green, and fair economy. Shop local!
An Interview with Buffalo First Founder Amy Kendron
Sustainable economy means different things to different people. Some people are invested in the trickle down theory that an expansive worldwide economy enriches every community. A” rising tide floats all boats” theory. Others argue that in order to float, one first needs a boat. The WNY economy and many worldwide local and regional economies seem to be rapidly heading downstream toward an ocean of uncertainty. Boats for these smaller communities and the individuals and families whose lives are seriously impacted, are increasingly hard to come by. In the complex world of big media marketing, derivatives trading, manipulative lending practices, and multinational corporate strategeries, it is often hard to objectively compare the local value of say, a non locally owned Wal-Mart, with a locally owned and operated “small mart”. In fact, we have more choices than paper or plastic. We can create and sustain a strong and thriving local economy if we invest in it.“Buy Local” is an economic and political strategy that its advocates such as Buffalo First, say makes communities stronger, safer, and much more sustainable. According to Michael Shuman, author of The Small Mart Revolution “ownership matters.” Shuman says that studies show that local businesses yield two to four times more multiplier benefits than comparable non-local business. He gives as an example a study that shows that a national chain bookstore in Austin Texas circulates about $13 back into the local economy. He compares that with two local owned bookstores that are shown to circulate $45.00, out of the $100, or roughly three times the economic impact on jobs, incomes and tax proceeds.” The WNY Traveler recently sat down with Amy Kedron to talk about Buffalo First.
WNYT: What is Buffalo First? AK: Buffalo First is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of local independent businesses, organizations and concerned citizens. The mission of Buffalo First is to build a local, green and fair economy in the Buffalo-Niagara region. We encourage people to shop locally, we help independent businesses access local goods and services and we give independent businesses a united voice to shape better policies for local independent and green businesses. The goal is to root more dollars here, preserve community, and create a healthier environment.
Why do we need a Buffalo First? We are living in crazy times: global economic crisis, no bailouts for main street, environmental distress, etc. Economics is at the heart of these issues and we need sustainable economic solutions that involve people, independent businesses, and policy makers in the process and the outcome. And to truly be effective, it must start at the local/community level. That’s what Buffalo First is all about. Buffalo First is the only organization in the area who's primary aim is to work with main street, local independent businesses and we teach people that every time they open their wallet (or even when they don't) they are voting for the kind of world that they want. When we realize this, we can accomplish anything.
What do you offer to the community?
We offer great educational resources; events, programs and policies that help create a healthy, sustainable, community and economy. We call this a local living economy.
What do you offer members, i.e. businesses, not for profits, individuals? We give local independent businesses, concerned citizens and nonprofits a united voice to shape the kind of healthy, thriving community that they want. We call this a local living economy. All are welcome to become members at our brand new website,
Who can become a member? Any concerned citizen and nonprofit organization and any local independent business. There is more information on ideal members, member benefits and how we define "local and independent" on our website.
WNYT: What is Buffalo First? AK: Buffalo First is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of local independent businesses, organizations and concerned citizens. The mission of Buffalo First is to build a local, green and fair economy in the Buffalo-Niagara region. We encourage people to shop locally, we help independent businesses access local goods and services and we give independent businesses a united voice to shape better policies for local independent and green businesses. The goal is to root more dollars here, preserve community, and create a healthier environment.
Why do we need a Buffalo First? We are living in crazy times: global economic crisis, no bailouts for main street, environmental distress, etc. Economics is at the heart of these issues and we need sustainable economic solutions that involve people, independent businesses, and policy makers in the process and the outcome. And to truly be effective, it must start at the local/community level. That’s what Buffalo First is all about. Buffalo First is the only organization in the area who's primary aim is to work with main street, local independent businesses and we teach people that every time they open their wallet (or even when they don't) they are voting for the kind of world that they want. When we realize this, we can accomplish anything.
What do you offer to the community?
We offer great educational resources; events, programs and policies that help create a healthy, sustainable, community and economy. We call this a local living economy.
What do you offer members, i.e. businesses, not for profits, individuals? We give local independent businesses, concerned citizens and nonprofits a united voice to shape the kind of healthy, thriving community that they want. We call this a local living economy. All are welcome to become members at our brand new website,
Who can become a member? Any concerned citizen and nonprofit organization and any local independent business. There is more information on ideal members, member benefits and how we define "local and independent" on our website.