About Pioneer Valley Local First
Pioneer Valley Local First, formerly known as Pioneer Valley Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (PV BALLE), is one of 80 BALLE Networks through out North America. We are a volunteer run organization, working since 2001 to encourage people in Western Massachusetts to Think local First.
Three of the projects we are currently working on include securing Sponsorships for our website at a $1,000/year, publishing a Pioneer Valley Guide To Local Businesses in the Fall of 2009, and working with businesses who want to develop Action Plans to make positive changes that benefit our local economy, community, and/or environment. We would greatly like to thank Big Y World Class Market and Hampden Bank for their Major Sponsorship of our up-coming Pioneer Valley Local Business Guide. A big thank you to Alexis Design and Hadley Printing for their fine work as well on the directory. We feel our Buy Local Guide will be an important tool to help people think and shop local first!!
We work closely with local, independent businesses to help them do more local purchasing, non-profits in the area like Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, the Center for Ecological Technology, and Coop Power to encourage people and businesses in the Pioneer Valley to support local farmers and begin using green energy sources. We have also worked with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, local Mayors offices, and various Chambers of Commerce to influence their members about the need to promote the local economy. One of the biggest projects we have initiated over the past few years is the Think Local First Contest. This contest has done much to encourage people to shop locally during Christmas and the Holidays.
If your business would like any assistance to develop Action Plans, please do not hesitate to call/write for support. Examples of this are: assistance to do more local purchasing; encouraging businesses to bank locally; set up recycling/composting programs; and/or work with the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), Coop Power, and Community Energy to purchase green electricity, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, etc... as A2Z Science & Learning Store, Broadside Bookshop, Northampton Brewery, The People's Pint, Atkins Market, Barts/Snow's Ice Cream, River Valley Market, the Mountain Goat and many other businesses have already done.
We have also brought great speakers to the area, such as, people like Judy Wicks from the White Dog Cafe and Michael Shuman to the area. Judy Wicks was chosen by Inc. Magazine as "one of the twenty-five most fascinating entrepreneurs in America" in 2004. She is also featured in the children's book "Americans Who Tell The Truth." Michael Shuman is the author of the books Going Local and his new book, The Small Mart Revolution How Local Business Is Beating the Global Competition. These speakers as well as other events have helped citizens of the Pioneer Valley see the economic and ecological importance of creating a Local Living Economy.
Living Economy Principles
A Living Economy ensures that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and natural life as well as long-term economic viability.
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 citizens 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 meaningful living-wage jobs
- Offer customers a high level of personal service and useful, safe, quality products
- Work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange
- Cooperate with other businesses in ways that balance their self-interest with their obligation to the community and future generations
- Use their business practices to support an inclusive and healthy community, and to protect our natural environment
- Yield a "living return" to owners and investors
“As the owner of Cooper's Corner and State Street Fruit Store, Deli Wine and Spirits in Northampton, and as a lifelong resident of Florence raising a family and concerned about the quality of life for this and future generations, it is important to me that locally owned businesses flourish. It takes a conscious effort for the average consumer to look at more than just price when choosing where to buy and I know that when the customer considers all the benefits of supporting local businesses, the local choice always makes sense. Pioneer Valley BALLE works to deliver that message better than any individual business can."
-Rich Cooper, Owner of Cooper's Corner and State Street Fruit Store
