Sustainable Connections – Transforming a Community
Posted by admin | Under Buy Groceries Online Wednesday Mar 10, 2010
Peak Moment 75: Michelle Long shows us how a highly successful local independent business network has transformed Bellingham, WA, while inspiring other communities. From an initial “Think Local First” program, they have expanded to business peer mentoring, and support for local food producers, sustainable buildings, and green energy. An astounding sixty percent of their community are not only aware of the “Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local” campaign but have changed buying habits as well.
[www.sustainableconnections.org]
Duration : 0:27:58
This is nothing new …
This is nothing new for some buisnesses the real sad thing is that the more diverse america is the more policies like these continue to erode markets.
It’s disappointing …
It’s disappointing to hear that your locally-owned stores don’t have broader employment policies. I hope you consider mentioning your experience to the owners or managers sometime.
I buy non local …
I buy non local because usually what you get in those hippy coffee shops and co op grocery stores are employers who only hire white students and overpay them to avoid “the taint” of blacks and legal immergant mexicans. Employees end up being total racists against anybody but yuppies who can afford to tip 20 percent. So any person of color ends up shopping with people hatefull toward them and expected to pay more for it. Forget it, I will go to wallmart first.
Nice Nice Video. I …
Nice Nice Video. I really loved your video. Youtube can be a great asset for you. If you need any help getting your video exposed, check out this site called tubeviews [dot net] It has really done wonders for me, I have built 3 Channels up with videos at top in position and this is my forth channel i’m going to working on.
Thomas, Snellville, Ga
you musnt say that! …
you musnt say that! pretend that your just interested in Sustainabillity and keep nodding your head when in fact we know reallly.. what your mind is on… and that aint a postoil society
I’m just so …
I’m just so impressed by Sustainable Connection’s brilliant planning & execution of a highly comprehensive plan for making significant changes to a community’s sustainability, by their effective documentation of their impact (real data, not just impressions), and by Michelle’s eloquent & compelling descriptions and her willingness to share with other interested communities. In Olympia, Washington, Sustainable South Sound just launched a Buy Local campaign modeled after hers; it’s going great.
i agree. …
i agree. communities need to work on becoming independent from transportation.
burning petroleum is just as unsustainable (and dangerous) as importing resources.
I think we’re going …
I think we’re going to have to work our way to sustainable, in stages. America produces very little of what it needs, anymore. If we start with local stores, we keep more money in our community. As local owners network and support each other, hopefully they’ll begin to carry goods produced by local people. It’ll take demand for local products to help encourage local production. Food is a good place to start.
buy local…from a …
buy local…from a store that imports its products???
completely unsustainable.
dam, shes fineee.
dam, shes fineee.
Great work! We’re …
Great work! We’re excited to see more and more people creating these kinds of campaigns. Anyone who doubts that we can turn the local economy around needs to watch this video!
This is a ministry …
This is a ministry for all to be a part of. Starting local first is key. Charity begins at home, then it spreads abroad! Good project, keep em’ coming.
She is. Michelle is …
She is. Michelle is on the board of BALLE, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, which is a national network of businesses doing many of the things she’s done. If you want more in-depth info, we produced a DVD of her full-length presentation. On the peakmoment(.)tv website.
Great! Now to have …
Great! Now to have Michelle thinking outwards to what happens on a wider even global scale when active local communities become normal…
absolutely …
absolutely fantastic!!! this is exactly what is required- this woman and her group are very impressive- well done on the interview and thank you for being such a great resource. cheers
Every community …
Every community needs her kind of enthusiasm and entrepreneurship, networking to build strong business communities that support local!
i wish michelle …
i wish michelle long was local.
There are no …
There are no jobs in Portland, that’s why there’s crime.
“Smart growth” is …
“Smart growth” is an oxymoron. It has failed miserably in Portland, Oregon, where the crime rate is far higher than the national average, traffic congestion and crowding are unbearable, and citizens are removing from office politicians who promote further “smart” growth policies. Anyone who claims that any kind of population or economic growth is sustainable likely has a bridge to sell you too. Smart growth = stupid thinking. Beware the smart growth snake oil salespeople.
Are you against …
Are you against full autonomy?
Salmon Arm, British …
Salmon Arm, British Columbia is watching. We’re going to a Re-localization meeting tonight. We watch Peak Oil videos. We are associated with Smart Growth that is based in the Committee for a Stronger Sustainable Salmon Arm office.
I am collecting empowering web sites and sharing information. We have a Food Action group that is proposing large composting/urban garden projects. Affordable Housing is non existent here.
Excellent work!
Excellent work!
So you’re against …
So you’re against Globalization, that is good.
Are you also against collectivism?
Thank you!
Thank you!