Build Prosperity in Chewelah: rural economic development forum

WSU Stevens County Extension and the Horizon Program will present a free workshop, “Creating a ‘Buy-Local’ Community,” on Thursday, April 17, from 9:30 am to 4:00 p.m., at the Ag and Trade Center in Colville.

Don't let local dollars escape! Learn what you can do NOW to help your local economy, what steps each community should take to increase community self-reliance, and what your business can do to encourage local patronage. Please join national expert, Michael Shuman to take a closer look at how 'Buy-Local' impacts you every day.

“What a great opportunity to have a nationally recognized speaker share information and the latest research on rural economic development and opportunities in the national and global economies. This is a perfect way to set the stage for the many area communities that are considering a variety of economic development approaches as they look toward the futures” said Leslie Jones, Executive Director of Tri-County Economic Development.

Michael Shuman, will address what local communities can do to create vibrant, self-reliant, community-based economic networks. He will highlight current trends in the national and global economy and show how consumers, investors, policymakers and organizers can revitalize their own community by supporting local business.

During this workshop Shuman will discuss the following six topics: Economic leakages can become business opportunities; Entrepreneurship creates a sustainable economic base for rural communities, individuals and families; Businesses can cooperate within the economic community to increase sales; Local purchasing by consumers, businesses and local governments strengthens the local economy; Local investing more effectively supports business opportunities and growth; Public policy can encourage business growth
through research and regulatory practices.

Shuman, an attorney and economist, has most recently written The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition. Small-Mart is a guidebook for communities on ways they can build and strengthen their local economy. Michael has published nearly 100 articles for periodicals such as New York Times, Washington Post, Nation, Weekly Standard, Foreign Policy, Parade, and The Chronicle on Philanthropy. Shuman has also appeared on television and radio shows, such as the Lehrer News Hour and NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and is a periodic commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He has worked with many communities to achieve economic sustainability. Visit his website: smallmart.org to learn more.

As a noted economist, attorney, author and entrepreneur, Shuman is widely recognized for his research into the economic advantages of small-scale businesses in an era of globalization, as well as the often overlooked benefits of building local economies in an era of dominant retail chains. Michael Shuman, an attorney and economist, is Vice President for Enterprise Development for the Training & Development Corporation, based in Bucksport, Maine. He has written seven books, including most recently The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition (Berrett-Koehler, June 2006) and Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age (Free Press, 1998). Shuman received an A.B. with distinction in international relations and economics from Stanford University in 1979 and a J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1982. He has given an average of one talk a week for 25 years, including invited lectures or paid consultancies in eight countries, 26 cities, and at 27 universities.

He has authored, coauthored and edited seven books, including "Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age" (Free Press, 1998). "The Small-Mart Revolution" was awarded a bronze medal for best business book by the Independent Publishers' Association. In recent years, Shuman has led community-based economic-development efforts in the United States, and he is currently preparing studies on state business subsidies for the Kellogg Foundation and on global models of local food businesses for the Gates Foundation. Complete conference details are available at http://stevesn.wsu.edu

This presentation is funded with support from the Horizons Program and the Northwest Area Foundation and cosponsored by WSU Extension.

About the Horizons The Horizons Program builds community leadership aimed at reducing poverty in small rural communities. Individuals from the communities of Springdale, Hunters, Kettle Falls, Chewelah, Colville, Northport and Republic have participated in many discussions, meetings and projects to make their communities better. This economic development workshop is free to anyone in Stevens or Ferry County because of the dedication of Horizons volunteers and is available to anyone who wants to make our communities a better place to live.

Seating is limited; lunch and snacks will be served. Gas cards and day care reimbursement are available for anyone who needs assistance. This grant writing workshop is funded through the Northwest Foundation