July 4, Independence Day, is here! This is also Independents Week, a national campaign to celebrate our country's local independent businesses. 

A buy local group from Grand Rapids has done a very thorough study on the impacts of buying local in their community. You can read the report here or visit http://civiceconomics.com/localworks/.

According to the study a 10% shift in the market share of local independents would produce:
+ Nearly $140 Million in new economic activity,
+ Over 1600 new jobs, and
+ Over $50 Million in new wages

As a local consumer a simple shift of 10% of your purchases to a locally owned business can produce the above effects!

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, or BALLE, is the world’s fastest growing network of sustainable businesses committed to building local economies and sustainable communities. BALLE is comprised of more than 70 local networks of 20,000 independent businesses in over 27 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. 

BALLE believes that local, independent businesses are among our most potent change agents, uniquely prepared to take on the challenges of global warming, resource depletion, and Wall Street decline with a nimbleness, sense of place, and relationship-based approach others lack.

By catalyzing, strengthening and connecting local business networks dedicated to Living Economy principles, BALLE is building an economy that provides local self-reliance in sustainable food and fiber, renewable energy, green building, independent retail and community capital – the cutting edge of sustainable community economic development. 

In honor of Independents Week, BALLE is offering two powerful living economy tools for those who make a donation to them by July 15:

• For the first 20 people to donate $120 or more, you'll receive a complimentary copy of David Korten's critically important new book, Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth. That's just $10 a month!
• For the first 20 people to donate $30 or more, you'll receive a complimentary copy of the latest issue of YES! Magazine, The New Economy Starts Here. 

TO MAKE A DONATION, VISIT BALLE'S PAGE ON GROUNDSPRING at: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=13447

All donations are tax deductible. 

If you would prefer to mail us a check, please make it out to BALLE and send it to BALLE -- Facebook Donations Drivem, 10002B O'Reilly Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129.