We had a great December.  Our customers have been absolutely wonderful and are very conscious about the difference it makes to shop with local businesses. We can’t thank them enough.

Localize Your Money

Spend it here.

Independently-owned businesses can reduce economic leakage (they keep more money here) and have the best economic multiplier (they keep more money circulating in the local economy because they can support local suppliers and local service professionals).
RESOURCES: Be Local Coupon Book, www.BeLocalFirst.org,    www.LivingEconomies.org

Bank it here.

In addition to getting a better deal and more personal service at a community bank or credit union, you’re helping out your community. Locally-rooted financial institutions do more lending to small businesses and help revitalize communities by spurring local job growth. By supporting the safe and sound practices of local financial institutions with your checking and savings accounts, you help nurture a more stable and responsible financial system for the future.
CURRENT MEMBERS: Cache Bank & Trust,    Home State Bank

Invest it here.

New finance and investment vehicles are being developed (see below).  Meanwhile, buy a share in a local farm’s harvest through CSA program: Community Supported Agriculture.  Consider a CSE: Community Supported Enterprise. For example, your up-front investment in a woodworking shop earns furniture purchases over a period of time, or in a restaurant earns you coupons every quarter.
RESOURCES:         Search CSAs at www.BeLocalFirst.org

_______________________________________________________________

ACTION STEPS

1)  Take our ONLINE SURVEY now.

We are looking for business entrepreneurs and finance, banking, and economics professionals who are interested in our Living Economy- Community Capital work.    Email us how you’d like to be involved or to refer someone.

2)  Tell the SEC: Let Americans invest in small, local businesses and ventures.

Sign the Petition from American Sustainable Business Council

3)  Sign the Slow Money Principles.

RESOURCES

GENERAL

Bank Local Sonoma County U-Tube (6min)

Bank Local – New Rules Project (program on the Institute for Local Self Reliance)

Move Your Money national campaign

Yes! Magazine – Issue #50: The New Economy

Sign the Slow Money Principles

NEW MODELS

Evergreen Cooperatives in Cleveland   video

INVESTING

L3C – The For Profit with a NonProfit Soul (Powerpoint)

Unified Field Bank – Community Partnership Banking

Community-Supported Enterprise list from Vermont

Impact Investing – Network of over 150 angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations and family offices

Commons Capital – Venture Capital for a Sustainable Future

RSF Social Finance