LOCAL (La Plata Organizations Cooperatively Advocating Local)

 

LOCAL is a project of the Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED) (Sustainable Local Economic Development) Committee of the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado, pursued in partnership with the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center and other local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups operating in La Plata County, Colorado.

 

Announcement!! The Sustainability Alliance wishes to contract with a Local First Project Manager.  The Manager will work with a steering committee comprised of Alliance members and local business owners to produce an educational coupon book promoting locally-owned, independent businesses in La Plata County.  Click here for all the details.

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Friends and colleagues,

 

The time has come for locally -owned, independent businesses in La Plata County to join together! Across the country, locally -owned, independent businesses are forming associations to inform customers about the benefits of supporting local businesses first, for products and services. In La Plata County, local business owners are working with non-profit organizations and motivated volunteers to form LOCAL (La Plata Organizations Cooperatively Advocating Local), an alliance of locally -owned, independent businesses.

 

With your support, LOCAL will:

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• Produce the 2008 Be Local Coupon Book, a marketing opportunity for independent businesses that is sure to become a badge of loyalty to county and community. Each year’s book will have a special section emphasizing one way to “be local.” In 2008, these pages will focus on local food and agriculture.   
  

• Create a directory of locallyowned, independent businesses for La Plata County that will help customers find what they need close to home.

  

• Organize social events that bring the community together and spread the “local first” message throughout the county.

•       Help locallyowned, independent businesses do business with each other and reap the benefits of cooperation.

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Why is LOCAL important?




Having strong, local businesses whose owners live in the county benefits everyone. All businesses create jobs, generate tax revenue, and contribute to community life. But when the owners of those businesses live locally, they often shop locally as well, for themselves and for their businesses. This spreads the wealth of each purchase throughout the community.



The longer this money stays in the community, the higher our quality of life. A study in the Chicago -area showed that locally -owned businesses circulate 70 percent% more money back into the local economy than chain stores. Plus, independent businesses keep our corner of Colorado unique and prevent us from looking like Anywhere, U.S.A.

Around the Country

 

Independent business associations—, in places such as Fort Collins, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Bellingham, Washington—A are having an impact:.

 

·      In Bellingham, 58 percent% of residents surveyed reported that the association’s Think Local First! Campaign had impacted their purchasing decisions.

·      In Santa Fe, the Locals Care Card discount program has boosted local business by linking local purchases to community donations. There are currently 120 businesses and 10,000 customers participating in the program.

·      In Fort Collins, residents bought 2,500 copies of their Be Local Coupon Book in five months based solely on word- of- mouth advertising.

 

In these cities, “local first” campaigns have been effective because there is an organization working to raise awareness year after year. By becoming a founding member of LOCAL, you will help launch an on-going effort to educate customers and promote locally -owned, independent businesses. With guidance from national organizations, such as the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), we will join a nationwide movement to revitalize local economies.

 

If you are a locally -owned, independent business in La Plata County and are interested in joining LOCAL, please download our member application. (104kB PDF file)download our member application.

 

You can also take a look at our brochure.  (550kB PDF file)brochure.

 

To receive announcements from LOCAL, or if you have questions, please contact Marcus Renner at (970-) 247-7091, or e-mail renner_m@fortlewis.edu.

 

LOCAL Steering Committee includes:

 

Jim Dyer, Director, SouthwestW Marketing Network

Roberta Eickman, Owner, New-in-Town Welcome Service

Julie Levy, Regional Housing Alliance La Plata County

Marcus Renner, Director, Fort Lewis College Environmental CenterFort Lewis College Environmental Center

Tom Riesing, Director, Oakhaven Permaculture Center

Peter Schertz, Owner, Maria’s Bookshop

Tim Wheeler, Owner, Durango Coffee Company Retail Stores

 

A big thank you to the founding members of LOCAL:

 

Animas Trading Co

Brainstorm

Bread

Cyprus Café

Durango Coffee Company

Durango Magazine

Durango Natural Foods

Eco Home Center

Marias Bookshop

No Place Like Home

Open Shutter Gallery

Payroll Department

Schluter Floral

Ska Brewing Company

The Spaah Shop

Strater Hotel

Sunnyside Farm Market

Zia's Taquira