Residents from all segments of the community can play a role in the future of their local economy. Working together, business and government leaders, local non-profit organizations, and citizen groups can analyze needs and resources and guide the economy. Local financial institutions can invest in sustainable community initiatives. Examples of innovative approaches are in this section.
Center for Holistic Management, 1010 Tijeras NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Tel: 505.842.5252, Fax: 505.843.7900, Email: chrm@igc.apc.org, Website: http://www.holisticmanagement.org. The Center advances the practice of Holistic Management, a process that helps people improve the quality of their lives, and their finances, while simultaneously restoring the environment.
Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), 777 North Capital Street, NE, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20002, Tel: 202.408.9788, Fax: 202.408.9793, Email: cfed@cfed.org, Website: http://www.cfed.org. CFED promotes asset-building strategies, primarily in low income and distressed communities, bringing together community practice, public policy and private markets.
Ecotrust, 1200 Northwest Naito Avenue, Suite 470, Portland, OR 97209, Tel: 503.227.6225, Fax: 503.222.1517, Email: info@ecotrust, Website: http://www.ecotrust.org. Ecotrust acts as a catalyst and broker to promote a conservation-based economy in the coastal temperate rein forest of North America.
Environmental Financing Information Network (EFIN), Email: efin@epamail.epa.gov, Website: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage. EFIN is an outreach service of EPA's Environmental Finance Program offering electronic access to many types of information on financing alternatives for State and local environmental programs and projects.
Global Development and Environment Institute (G-DAE), Cabot Center, Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, MD 02155, Tel: 617.627.3530, Fax: 617.627.2409, Email: gdae@tufts.edu, Website: http://ase.tufts.edu/gdae. G-DAE is a research institute at Tufts University dedicated to promoting a new understanding of how societies can pursue their economic goals in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
GreenBiz.com, Website: http://www.GreenBiz.com. This web site, launched by the nonprofit Green Business Network, seeks to provide information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that combines ecological sustainability with profitable business practices.
Greisinger Films, Old Mill Road, Gates Mills, OH 44040, Tel: 800.872.4456, Fax: 216.423.1601Greisinger Films has videos on ecological economics, including An Introduction to Ecological Economics, Investing in Natural Capital, and Conservation for a Sustainable Society.
Ithaca HOURS, Box 6578, Ithaca, NY 14851, Tel: 607.272.4330, Email: hours@lightlink.com, Website: http://www.lightlink.com/ithacahours. Ithaca HOURS is a labor-based currency used in an extensive local bartering system to support goods and services in Ithaca, NY. A Hometown Money Starter Kit is available.
Local Economic Trading Systems (LETS) Home Page, Website: http://www.gmlets.u-net.com. This site provides information and resources on LETSystems, self-regulating community trading networks that use a local currency to facilitate the indirect exchange of goods and services between users.
Sierra Business Council (SBC), P.O. Box 2428 , Truckee, CA 96160, Tel: 530.582.4800, Fax: 530.582.1230, Email: info@sbcouncil.org, Website: http://tahoe.ceres.ca.gov/sbc. The SBC, an association of over 400 businesses, is working to define an economic vision for the Sierra region that is attractive, achievable, profitable, and ecologically sustainable. Its Sierra Nevada Wealth Index is a comprehensive assessment of the social, natural and financial capital which is the foundation of the Sierra Nevada economy.
West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, c/o West Michigan Environmental Action Council, 1514 Wealthy Street, S.E., Suite 280, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, Tel: 616.451.3051, Fax: 616.451.3054, Email: busforum@sustainable-busforum.org, Website: http://www.sustainable-busforum.org/intro.html. The goal of the Forum is to encourage the adoption and implementation of sustainable development business practices aimed at improving corporate profitability while enhancing the long term health of the environment. The web site contains information on best management practices and sustainable business publications, tools and resources.
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Aspen Institute, Self-Employment Learning Project (SELP). 1994 Directory of U.S. Microenterprise Programs. (Queenstown, MD: The Aspen Institute). This directory of organizations working with microenterprise development strategies gives information on program orientation, lending and assistance methodologies, and loan portfolio statistics.
Benello, C. George, Robert Swann and Shann Turnbull. Building Sustainable Communities: Tools and Concepts for Self-Reliant Economic Change, 2nd Edition. (New York: Bootstrap Press, 1997). This book presents the underlying ideas and essential institutions for building sustainable communities. Three major sections deal with community land trusts, worker managed enterprises and community currency and banking.
Bouma, Jan Jaap, Marcel Jeucken and Leon Klinkers, eds. Sustainable Banking: The Greening of Finance. (Netherlands: Greenleaf Publishing in association with Deloitte & Touche, 2001). Through the use of case studies and detailed analysis, this book examines the environmental policies of banks, the importance of transparency and communication with their stakeholders, environmental and ethical investment funds, current practice by the providers of financial services with regard to environmental risk management and, finally, the key role of government, NGOs and multilateral banks in delivering sustainability. To obtain this resource contact Greenleaf Publishing Ltd, Aizlewood Business Centre, Aizlewood's Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG, UK; Web site: www.greenleaf-publishing.com.
Brandt, Barbara. Whole Life Economics. (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 1995).
Cahn, Edgar and Jonathan Rowe. Time Dollars: The New Currency That Enables Americans to Turn Their Hidden Resource Time into Personal Security and Community Renewal. (Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1992). This book offers information and resources for starting a TIME Dollar program..
Centre for Community Enterprise. Tools, Strategies, & Structures for Community Renewal (CONTACT series, Vol. 1). In these articles, selected from practitioner reports in Making Waves: Canada's CED Magazine, 20 managers, directors, trainers, and planners explain processes and concepts they have applied to revive local authority and action. A broad spectrum of community situations is addressed. To obtain this resource contact The CED Bookshop, CCE Publications, PO Box 1161, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7MI, Canada; Tel: 888.255.6779; Fax: 250.723.1922.
Cumming, Victor et al. Entrepreneurial Communities: A Handbook for Local Action. (Port Alberni, BC: Centre for Community Enterprise). This handbook is for communities looking to attain a healthier local economy. The writers introduce the basics of community economic development and use illustrations and a detailed case study to show the link among principles, practice, and results through strategic planning. To obtain this resource contact The CED Bookshop, CCE Publications, PO Box 1161, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7MI, Canada; Tel: 888.255.6779; Fax: 250.723.1922.
Environmental Financial Advisory Board and the Environmental Finance Center Network. A Guidebook of Financial Tools. This online reference work is intended to provide an overview of a wide range of ways and means that are useful in paying for sustainable environmental systems. This resource can be found online at: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/guidebk/guindex.htm.
Fossum, Harold. Communities in the Lead: The Northwest Rural Development Sourcebook. (Seattle, WA: Northwest Policy Center, University of Washington, 1993). This sourcebook offers information for rural development with special attention on promoting value added enterprises.
GreenMoney Journal. The GreenMoney Journal. This journal encourages and promotes the awareness of socially and environmentally responsible business, investing, and consumer resources in publications and online. To obtain this resource contact GreenMoney Journal, 608 West Glass Avenue, Spokane, WA 99205; Tel: 509.328.1741; Email: cliffgmj@ior.com. This resource can be found online at: http://www.greenmoney.com.
Henderson, Hazel. Building a Win-Win World. (San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1996).
Kinsley, Michael. Economic Renewal Guide, 3rd edition. (Snowmass, CO: Rocky Mountain Institute, 1997). This manual is a do-it-yourself toolkit for anyone who wants to get sustainable economic development moving in their community. To obtain this resource contact the Institute at Tel: 970.927.3851, Fax: 970.927.3420, Email: orders@rmi.org.
Lewis, Mike and Frank Green. Strategic Planning: For the Community Economic Development Practitioner. (Port Alberni, BC: Centre for Community Enterprise). This step-by-step planning guide uses a case study to illustrate analyses and decision-making of sound strategic planning. A companion workshop manual is available at an additional cost. To obtain this resource contact The CED Bookshop, CCE Publications, PO Box 1161, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7MI, Canada; Tel: 888.255.6779; Fax: 250.723.1922.
Lyons, Thomas S. and Katherine K. Cornwell. "Microenterprise and Sustainable Community Development". Sustain. Fall 1998, vol. II. (Louisville, KY: Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development). This article discusses microenterprise as an economic development strategy that focuses on bottom-up, community-based business development and gives an in-depth examination of such a program in Louisville. To obtain this resource contact the Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development, 203 Patterson Hall, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292. This resource can be found online at: http://www.louisville.edu/org/sun/sustain/business/new.html.
Milani, Brian. Designing the Green Economy: the Postindustrial Alternative to Corporate Globalization. (Lanham, MD: Rowman Littelfield, 2000). In this book the author argues that not only are there alternatives to corporate capitalism, but that growing human potentials can be expressed only through a new paradigm of economic development - the Green Economy - based in a redefinition of wealth: from quantitative to qualitative, from accumulation to regeneration.
Muschett, F. Douglas, ed. Principles of Sustainable Development. (Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press, September 1996). This book describes a multifaceted approach to sustainable development, focusing on economic development and environmental management. To obtain this resource contact St. Lucie Press atTel: 561.274.9906; Fax: 561.274.9927.
The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). Achieving Sustainable Communities: Science and Solutions.(2002). A Report from the second National Conference on Science, Policy, and the Environment released by The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). This far-reaching document underscores new approaches for creating strong economies and healthy communities and provides constructive approaches to address complex issues such as economic development versus ecosystem protection. Available online at cnie.org/NCSEconference/2001conference/report/page.cfm?FID=1692. To receive a printed copy of the conference report, send your name and mailing address to conference@NCSEonline.org.
Perry, Stewart E. and Mike Lewis. Reinventing the Local Economy: What 10 Canadian Initiatives Can Teach Us About Building Creative, Inclusive, & Sustainable Communities. This book gives a detailed examination of 10 Canadian initiatives, from Cape Breton to Vancouver, and reflects experience in such sectors as credit unions, labor, co-ops, government, and various community organizations committed to fighting poverty through community economic development. To obtain this resource contact The CED Bookshop, CCE Publications, PO Box 1161, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7MI, Canada; Tel: 888.255.6779; Fax: 250.723.1922.
PLACE3S (PLAnning for Community Energy, Environmental & Economic Sustainability). The Energy Yardstick: Using PLACE3S to Create Sustainable Communities. This document explores PLACE3S as an urban planning method designed to help communities find an effective path toward sustainability. It employs energy as a yardstick to measure the sustainability of urban design and growth management plans. This resource can be found online at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/places/index.html.
Power, Thomas Michael. Environmental Protection and Economic Well-Being: The Economic Pursuit of Quality. (Sharpe, 2nd edition, 1996). This book focuses on local economy and what can and cannot be achieved and changed through major work at the local level.
National Association of Regional Councils. Economic Bookshelf. This online bibliography contains a variety of publications on community economic development. This resource can be found online at: http://narc.org/ed/bookshelf.htm.
Schragge, Eric, ed. Community Economic Development: In Search of Empowerment & Alternatives, 2nd ed. (Black Rose Books Ltd, 1997). This updated work provides a penetrating discussion of the vision and goals of community economic development and of the role that the state may play in the process. To obtain this resource contact The CED Bookshop, CCE Publications, PO Box 1161, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7MI, Canada; Tel: 888.255.6779; Fax: 250.723.1922.
Shuman, Michael H. Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age. (Free Press, 1998). This book details how communities are regaining control over their economies by employing new kinds of strategies that benefit the local economy.
Stark, Nancy and Hamilton Brown. Harvesting Hometown Jobs: The New Small Town Guide to Economic Development, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: National Center for Small Communities, 1997). This local economic development guide offers assessment and advice for small town leaders on issues such as strategic planning, fostering enterprises, industrial recruitment, tourism, growth management, and forging partnerships. To obtain this resource contact NCSC, 444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 208, Washington, DC 20001; Tel: 202.624.3550; Fax: 202.624.3554; Email: natat@sso.org .
US Department of Energy. Dollars from Sense: The Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy. This publication illustrates the economic advantages and benefits of investing in renewable energy technologies, including job creation, strengthening the community's tax base, and fostering economic growth by keeping energy dollars at home. To obtain this resource contact the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC), Tel: 800.363.3732; Email: doe.erec@nciinc.com. This resource can be found online at: http://www.eren.doe.gov/power/info_res.html.
US Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Finance Program. A Guidebook of Financial Tools: Paying for Sustainable Environmental Systems. This updated edition of the Guidebook features 340 tools for governments and the private sector to use to pay for environmental programs, systems and activities. This resource can be found online at: http://www.epa.gov/efinpage/guidbk98/index.htm.
Community Minigrants Program, West Virginia Counties; A regional philanthropic foundation established a program to distribute grants of $500 - $2,000, providing training in project management and peer review from other rural communities., West Virginia Counties
Federation of Southern Cooperatives: Land Assistance Fund, Epes, Ala.; Program helps black farmers retain their land by organizing rural/urban marketing programs and providing other technical and financial assistance. The Lakota Fund, Kyle, S.D.; A community development organization that fosters the social and economic development of Oglala Lakota tribal members on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Meadowcreek Local Food Project, Fox, Ark.; A rural non-profit organizations has worked with a local private college dining hall and helped to organize an organic restaurant and canning facility to promote the consumption of local produce. Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, (MACED), Berea, Ky.; For 20 years, an association of development organizations has provided education, funding, and technical assistance to promote more diversified and sustainable rural economies. GREEN Institute, The, Minneapolis, Minn.; A citizen's group is developing a new eco-industrial facility which will house a construction materials reuse center and an environmental business incubator in an inner city neighborhood. Vermont National Bank's Socially Responsible Banking Fund ; A commercial bank in a mid-sized city offers depositors the opportunity to earmark their funds and assist in awarding socially responsible loans to local residents and organizations.
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Sustainable Communities Network (SCN) Revised June 6, 2002