Community 2012 is the Year to Think Globally and Act Locally

Think Globally Act Locally was a term popularized by environmentalists in the 60's in promoting safeguards that would save and preserve our land and resources. We now see that the theme extends to our economic future too. It goes without saying that we can't save the world if we can't save the town, but equally so, if we do save the world, it will probably be one town at a time.

Actually the term has been traced back to1915, to Scottish biologist, social evolutionist and town planner Patrick Geddes, who wrote "Cities in Evolution." Gettes used the phrase to describe his idea to preserve human life and energy. He envisioned all towns as parts of cities and they as part of a landscape that would inhabit the globe. He placed a lot of focus on preserving historical buildings and civic pride. Sprawl and blight were not tools of his trade.

We now find ourselves forced to survive in a globalized corporate environment that has replaced most of the local economies and lifestyle America once knew. Those who built their wealth from that all American-city model chose profits over people and abandoned that successful paradigm. There will be no yellow brick road back to Mayberry, but we still have the power to rekindle some of the security that came from being invested in one another.  

Below are some suggestions that could be on all of our lists for New Year resolutions. By practicing them we might plug some of the holes that have been eroding our community bucket. It is no more than an island mentality, where everyone supports each other. Bartering, buying local vendor gift certificates, shopping locally and joining a local credit union can save the people of any town millions of dollars each year, and you'll get to see how many wonderful people you have been surrounded by all along. 

• Next time you go out for dinner, drive by that chain restaurant and pull in to one of the many local family-owned ones. This will help to keep the money in your neighborhood. Less than half of the money spent in a chain restaurant stays in the community that houses it.

The Andersonville Development study found that spending $100 at one of the neighborhood's independent businesses creates $68 in additional economic activity, while spending $100 at a chain produces only $43 of local impact.

• Next time you drive by a local produce stand, pull in and pick up whatever you can find there that you need. The price is always better. The product is always fresher, and the money stays in your neighborhood. 

Buying 25 locally grown produce items from a co-op in Orlando saved customers 40% than if the same items were bought from Publix. Locally-grown produce is often just one or two days from the field. At a Publix in Florida, 84% of the produce was from California and 8% from Mexico. The Examiner, Orlando 

• Try getting your next haircut or change of color from a local salon. Your local professionals are generally cheaper and just as skilled as those in the mall. If you don't know of any, pick-up a local paper and look in the section that advertise local services.

"Going Local" a study funded by the Maine Center for Economic Policy, found that money spent in a locally-owned businesses has more impact on the local economy than money spent at a national chain. As a result, a dollar spent in a local store generates an additional 58 cents of economic impact in the local economy, as opposed to the extra 33 cents from a chain store. The Portland Press Herald.

• Try and find locally-owned cleaners, hardware, computer repair, carwash and a pharmacy. All are most likely within a short drive or walk of your home. You'll get to know people much like yourself who are also looking to improve the quality of life, while at the same time saving some money. 

A study by the Institute of Local Self Reliance found 16 percent of the money spent at a SuperTarget stays in the local economy. In contrast, the local retailers return more than 32 percent of their revenue to their local economy.

• It is important to know what is going on politically and economically in your country, but you have by far a better chance to change what happens around you by attending local government meetings. To focus on the decisions being made just miles from your house are the ones that will affect you most. Show-up, speak your mind and change what local officials have in their plans, if it doesn't preserve your quality of life.

Winston Churchill said, ”Democracy is the worst system devised by the wit of man except for all the others." Commissioners know for every person that shows up at a meeting, there are a 100 that share their concerns, but couldn't make it. Fill the car up with your neighbors and remind local government who they work for.

The smartest investments we can make to maintain the highest quality of life is to invest in what surrounds us -- our neighborhoods. Buying from local markets, using local services and supporting others just like ourselves, stops costly sprawl, prevents urban blight and preserves land value. Knowing and supporting the locals around you also builds relationships, strengthens community services and makes the neighborhood safer. Life only gets better when we actually do things that make it better, and supporting each other makes everyone stronger. This year help to build some local economic muscle.

And PLEASE recycle everything, this will keep very expensive and polluting landfill expansions out of your community, saving millions of dollars. Finally, keep love in your heart and you'll have a great year!