EcoLocalizer

As a big proponent of the Triple Bottom Line concept for businesses, one organization floats my boat for a lot of different reasons: BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. Why? Because BALLE sees business as a way to strengthen our communities, as well as our local economies.

Though it can be difficult to understand how BALLE works, I’ll try to nutshell it for you. BALLE, a national organization, is made up of local business networks.  The networks are spread out all over the country, and each is focused on improving the sustainability of its own unique local economy. The businesses that make up each network are locally owned - they work together to share local resources and ideas, and to improve their local economy. BALLE provides resources to these member networks, like conferences and trainings.

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By maintaining a local focus, business dollars remain local, which means more local investment. From an environmental standpoint, buying local reduces the carbon footprint of goods, and thus, industry as a whole.

The original BALLE network, The Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia, was launched in 2001 by Judy Wicks, a cafe owner looking to provide food that was local, organic, and humanely raised. After working hard to find suppliers (even providing a low-interest loan to an Amish pig farmer) she decided to share her knowledge and contacts with other restauranteurs. BALLE was born.

Over time, the network grew beyond food to include other areas of local sustainable economies, like green building, renewable energy, and zero-waste manufacturing. Additions to the BALLE network are springing up all over, each based on the needs and idiosyncrasies of its locale.

Surprisingly, BALLE LA is just getting going, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get involved. The next meeting will be held on March 19th from 7:00 - 9:00pm, at Essential Living Foods in Santa Monica. Steering positions are still available if you’d like to take the reigns in creating a local living economy here in LA.

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