We have been engaging communities in explorations of what it means to have a healthy economy - the values behind it and the measures of success. We have learned that there is great and growing interest in the "asset-building" approach, focusing on business and community initiatives that strengthen our environment and enhance quality of life in ways that are very specific to this place.
"Local-first" economic development has been the subject of several SHV partnerships with communities, including ten towns and villages in Northern Dutchess County. Interested folks from the ten county region have joined us for educational programs with innovators in this area like Michael Shuman, author of The Small Mart Revolution. We have also brought communities together around showings of the great movie Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom and Pop. These projects have given rise to a Hudson Valley Sustainable Business Network with 45 members.
The map tells the story of asset-based development and the fascinating community of businesses and citizens working on it here. The audience includes visitors and locals, policymakers and consumers - everyone who cares about preserving local assets and wants to vote with their wallets by patronizing member businesses and celebrating the region's assets.
The map serves this purpose with layers of information that include icons for historic sites, natural areas, farms, green buildings and energy sites, hiking and biking resources, craft producers and more. One of a kind businesses like the Hudson Valley Sports Dome, the Roosevelt Estate and the Gnome on the Grange Mini-Golf are shown to highlight what's special about this place. This mapping is independent of membership - we are celebrating great stuff as a service to visitors and locals. We will also show the logos of our business members around the border, designated as paid advertising, and designate the map as a benefit of membership for our business network members. This network is part of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (www.livingeconomies.org) which promotes "triple bottom line" locally-controlled economic development.
