Local Economy

Comment

Comment by Randy Chatterjee on October 9, 2010 at 11:16pm

This is a reminder that this coming Thursday, October 14, at 6:00 PM will be our Local Economy Network meeting at Ann's home.

Key issues are how to support and improve the sustainability of our local businesses: local sourcing, local ownership, low carbon shipping and shopping, and entrepreneurship. Dollars spent on imported goods are dollars literally bled from the circulatory system of our economy: money. Vancouver may not always be the landing spot of international capital flows, and when the tide goes slack we'll have to know how to repitch our hull and tighten our sails.
Also, what is a Steady State Economy, and why do politicians, bankers, and business owners fear it?
We'll discuss these and other issues, including any you have to bring forward.

Comment by Randy Chatterjee on October 9, 2010 at 4:14pm

Required reading (click to download a PDF of the entire book): Michael Shuman's The Small-Mart Revolution.
I have just finished reading this 2006 book that defends the economics of smaller, local producers and retailers, and explains clearly why keeping local dollars local is a HUGE and sustainable economic development tool. Yes, this is a book that shows why Wal-Mart is failing to compete with most Mom & Pop stores and why it is another Enron-like juggernaut, sucking money out of our economy and sewing the seeds of its own destruction. Yes, 300 Wal-Mart stores are currently shuttered, abandoned tin buildings twice the size of a football pitch on desolate paved-over lots.
Locally-owned businesses are succeeding despite many government subsidies to the big retailers and producers. This book explains how and why. This is perhaps a good source of data and knowledge to share with local BIA Directors, albeit some BIAs now also represent the increasing number of big box retail outlets that the city has approved to lease our cheap industrial land with even cheaper tax rates.
The VPL Main Branch has a copy of the book, and I am searching for a few copies for the VV lending library, if you prefer reading on paper.

Comment by Jordan B on October 3, 2010 at 3:05pm

There is an evening of talks coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 6th that members of this group may find interesting: Toward a Steady State Economy, an event hosted by the Green Party of BC at the SFU locale at 500 Granville Street starting at 7pm. You can read more about it at http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/event/toward-steady-state-economy.

Comment by Ann Pacey on October 1, 2010 at 12:55pm

This is an amazing talk, given at this years Transition gathering in the UK. It will shake you to your bones and give you a new perspective on our economic situation.
http://sheffield.indymedia.org.uk/media/2010/06//453357.mp3
and Q&A http://sheffield.indymedia.org.uk/media/2010/06//453358.mp3

Comment by Ann Pacey on September 28, 2010 at 8:12am

Hello everyone

We have a new doodle calendar available to help schedule our next meeting. I've set days during the next 2 weeks. Please let me know if you need any other dates and I will try and accomodate.
Follow the link http://www.doodle.com/5w6tiamzrbixhdae to add your availability.

Comment by Ann Pacey on September 27, 2010 at 9:15am

Interesting article challenging the comman base assumptions of economic doctrine.
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2010-09-27/behavioral-economi...

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