Nov 30 – Local Business Guide Launch Celebration
Even with some of the strongest and earliest Buy Local campaigns in the country, it’s still been hard for consumers here to sort out conflicting claims in regards to what businesses are locally owned. Problem solved: Pioneer Valley Local First is releasing a free guide to locally owned, independent businesses both online and in paper format: The 2009-2010 Local Business Guide: Building Sustainable Communities.
The guide lists more than 220 Pioneer Valley-based businesses and nonprofits with local ownership and a commitment to taking care of our region. Additionally, the guide includes several informative articles about the benefits of buying locally, environmental sustainability, support of local farms, and getting Fair Trade products at local businesses.
In order to celebrate the official launch and distribution of the directory, PV Local First invites its members, local business owners, and media to join us, Monday, November 30, 5:30-8:00 p.m. at The Northampton Brewery.
Hadley Printing, a century-old local printing firm that uses clean hydropower and environmentally certified paper, is printing 20,000 copies that will be distributed on November 30th and through Chambers of Commerce, real estate agents, and listed member businesses. A huge thank you to Big Y World Class Market and our community partner Hampden Bank for being Major Sponsors of our Local Business Guide.
The Pioneer Valley is where we call home and by people thinking local first and shopping with local, independent businesses we will stabilize and sustainably grow our economy. A study in West Michigan found that if people could shop locally just 10% more often that it would keep an extra 53 million dollars in the local economy and create 1,600 new jobs. According to steering committee member Kirsten Bonanza “The more connected, alive, and vibrant our local economy, the more resilient we will be in the face of any future challenge. Helping our community understand why buying local matters and putting that knowledge in their hands is key to success.”
About Pioneer Valley Local First, www.pvLocalFirst.org
Since 2001 our mission has been to educate and encourage Pioneer Valley citizens, community organizations, businesses and town governments to Think Local First. We are committed to finding ways to meet our community’s energy, food, housing, transportation, and other needs in ways that are both environmentally and locally intelligent. Pioneer Valley Local First is a founding network in the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
About the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) www.livingeconomies.org
The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is North America’s fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses, comprised of 75 community networks with over 20,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. BALLE networks create local living economies through the building blocks of independent retail, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green building, local manufacturing, and community capital. Founded in 2001, BALLE works to foster vibrant communities, a healthy natural environment, and prosperity for all.
Event Summary:
Who: Pioneer Valley Business Owners
What: Pioneer Valley Local Business Guide Launch Party, 20,000 copies of FREE Local Business Guide to be distributed throughout the three-counties of the Pioneer Valley
Where: The Northampton Brewery, Brewster Court, Northampton, MA
When: Monday, November 30, 5:30-8:00 p.m. for PVLF members and local business owners.
Why: To distribute and celebrate the very first edition of the Buy Local Guide
Contact:
Dan Finn, PV Local First, 413 364 7266, dan@pvLocalFirst.org
Joan Grenier, Odyssey Bookshop, 413-534-7307, odysseyjeg@aol.com
Kirsten Bonanza, Sustainable Bonanza, 413-559-9118 kirsten@pvlocalfirst.org
Mitch Gaslin, Food For Thought, 413-253-5432, mitch@foodforthoughtbooks.com
Nancy Felton, Broadside Bookshop, 413-586-4235, nancy@broadsidebooks.com
Press release donated by Shel Horowitz, Accurate Writing & More