Business Alliance for Local Living Economies

GoLocal is the BALLE network for Sonoma County. We chose this model for several reasons:

1. Our values and mission are aligned with BALLE's values and mission.
2. Access to other BALLE networks and local economy experts across the country that we can learn from.
3. BALLE provides resources and templates of programs that have worked in other communities.

What is a BALLE Network?

The Go Local Coop is a member of the national BALLE Network - a growing alliance of business people around the US and Canada,who join local BALLE networks dedicated to building local living economies.

BALLE comprises 50 local business networks with more than 5,000 business members overall.

BALLE’s mission is to catalyze, strengthen, and connect these local business networks.

BALLE networks respond to the unique needs of their communities and share ideas throughout the alliance of networks.

In community after community, BALLE networks are proving that a coordinated group of locally owned companies can stand up to some of the harmful effects of globalization and foster the health and vitality of a region.

How Do You Define Local?

We define “local” by our county boundary. We support Independent, Locally Owned Businesses that have full autonomy and local decision making authority with respect to their business practices.

Go Local Examples

In Bellingham, WA, business leaders created a "Local First" campaign to encourage citizens to buy from locally owned businesses whenever possible to keep money circulating within the community. In Utah the Vest Pocket Business Coalition is the local BALLE network. Vest Pocket started the first statewide Local First campaign. The campaign has signed up almost 500 businesses across the state. In Vermont, members of the BALLE network employ 8 percent of the state's workforce and lobby for increased support for renewable energy and healthcare. Through its Social Venture Institute, the Philadelphia network trains new social entrepreneurs in the business skills they need to be successful.

How is this different from the Chamber of Commerce?

Our efforts are county-wide, uniting all the communities in our area. GoLocal is comprised of “locally-owned” businesses where their money stays in our County, rather than businesses owned by large corporations where their money leaves our County. For more information go to: www.livingeconomies.org

What are we up to?

We are striving to build Sonoma County’s Local Living Economy. A Living Economy is guided by the following principles: Living economy communities produce and exchange locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home.These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation.

• Living economy public policies support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.
• Living economy consumers appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a price premium to secure those personal and community benefits.
• Living economy investors value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a "living return" on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.
• Living economy media provide sources of news independent of corporate control,so that citizens can make informed decisions in the best interests of their communities and natural environment.
• Living economy businesses are primarily independent and locally owned,and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders,while building long-term profitability.

They strive to:

• Source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local procurement
• Provide employees a healthy workplace with living-wage jobs
• Offer customers personal service and useful safe, quality products
• Work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange
• Cooperate with other businesses to balance self-interest with the obligation to the community and future generations
• Use their business practices to support an inclusive and healthy community and natural resources
• Yield a "living return" to owners and investors

Here's how the Multiplier Effect works and why we need to think about it whenever and wherever we shop...