Supporting Local, Living Economies

 

The economy has gone global, and there’s no going back. But that doesn’t mean that we should abandon local economies. Buying from “Main Street” helps small businesses continue to innovate and keeps cash in the pockets of friends and neighbors. This sort of economic interdependence strengthens the community and tends to lead to greater happiness for everyone involved.

Dream of a Nation Partner
BALLEStrengthening Sustainable Businesses
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is North America's fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces representing over 22,000 independent business members. Learn more.

David Korten is the co-founder and board chair of YES! Magazine, co-chair of the New Economy Working Group, president of the People-Centered Development Forum (PCDForum), and a founding board member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). His books include Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth, The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community, and the international best seller When Corporations Rule the World. Learn more.

 

Read the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies essay: "Read World Models for Creating Stability in the New Economy"Read the BALLE essay

Read David Korten's essay: "Lighting the Way to a New Economy"

Endnotes & References

A major part of building internet immunity is teaching young people that their online actions, no writing service matter how minor, have a much larger audience than their actions do in the real world

 

Buy Local

 

What Can I Do?
Go downtown and buy local

Whether you live in a small town or a big city, chances are local small businesses or farmers’ markets sell most of what you buy at the same price as big box stores.

 

Get the freshest food for your family, and support your community. Find a CSA or farmers market near you.

 

 

What If?

Q. What if more people spent money at locally-owned businesses?

A. A recent study found that of every $100 spent at a non-local business, just $33 stays in the area. Every $100 spent at a local business keeps $78 in the local economy.

Q.  What if just 10% of spending in a population of 750,000 was shifted to local businesses?

A. That spending would create 1,600 new jobs, generate $50 million in new wages, and spur $137 million in new economic activity.