Locally owned businesses can help communities thrive — and survive climate change
from Grist:
Locally owned businesses can help communities thrive — and survive climate change
By Stacy Mitchell
Cities where small, locally owned businesses account for a relatively large share of the economy have stronger social networks, more engaged citizens, and better success solving problems, according to several recently published studies.
And in the face of climate change, those are just the sort of traits that communities most need if they are to survive massive storms, adapt to changing conditions, find new ways of living more lightly on the planet, and, most important, nurture a vigorous citizenship that can drive major changes in policy.
That there’s a connection between the ownership structure of our economy and the vitality of our democracy may sound a bit odd to modern ears. But this was an article of faith among 18th- and 19th-century Americans, who strictly limited the lifespan of corporations and enacted antitrust laws whose express aim was to protect democracy by maintaining an economy of small businesses. ..................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://grist.org/cities/locally-owned-businesses-can-help-communities-thrive-and-survive-climate-change/
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I live in a small city (~ 50,000) where local businesses predominate (though national chains are increasingly present). There's a strong network of farmers' markets. It's a walkable city. Buying locally here is fairly easy to do.
I think there are similar situations even in large cities on a "neighborhood" scale. I'm thinking of SF, Boston, New York, since I'm most familiar with those 3. Would guess there are many others.
