Michael Shuman - The Local Economy Solution: How Innovative, Self-Financing Pollinator Enterprises Can Grow Jobs and Prosperity

Praise for The Local Economy Solution

Michael Shuman is the worlds most knowledgeable cheerleader and observer of efforts to promote local economies, and each of his books offers essential, practical information to advance the cause. In The Local Economy Solution , he shines light on new models of local economic development that are self-financingan all-important innovation, given that many localist efforts currently depend on subsidies and grants. If you have any interest in furthering your regions economic resilience, this brilliant, clear book should be at the very top of your reading list.

Richard Heinberg , senior fellow, Post Carbon Institute

Michael Shuman, long a pioneer in the local-economy movement, has pushed the conversation forward once again, showcasing new tools for localists, new business models for entrepreneurs, and new development strategies for economic planners. A terrific resource for cash-strapped communities building wealth and resilience from the ground up.

Judy Wicks , author of Good Morning, Beautiful Business , cofounder of BALLE, and founder of the White Dog Caf

I have been impressed by Michael Shuman for a long time, but The Loc al Economy Solution sent my admiration soaring. He shows the genuine myopia and legal corruption of the prevailing model of state and local economic development, then he explains the new localist model taking hold in many enlightened communities; and, best of all, he brings his engaging writing skills to describe the real people and enterprises that are bringing this model to life. His book is both an inspiration and a handbook for doing real development.

James Gustave Speth , author of America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy and Angels by the River: A Memoir

First rate! Cutting-edge strategies for community-sustaining business development without bribing big corporationsby one of the nations leading and most creative localists!

Gar Alperovitz , author of What Then Must We Do?: Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution

Michael Shuman has done it again. In The Local Economy Solution , he shreds the conventional wisdom about economic development and local business initiatives that rely on grants. His Rx: self-financing pollinator businesses. This one is sure to make some waves!

Amy Cortese , author of Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit from It

Michael Shumans first book showed us a vision of community economics and empowerment; his latest book, The Local Economy Solution , examines some of the best examples of community-based enterprise as he teaches us how to bring vision to reality. An excellent and welcome addition to my library that builds on Michaels extraordinary expertise and insights.

Jed Emerson , coauthor of The Impact Investor: Lessons in Leadership and Strategy for Collaborative Capitalism

The emerging localization movement owes a huge debt of gratitude to Michael Shuman. A visionary thinker with decades of hard-won, grassroots experience, he offers not only a clear picture of a very different economic landscape but the steps we need to takeas individuals and as communitiesto move from here to there.

Helena Norberg-Hodge , founder and director of Local Futures and producer and codirector of The Economics of Happiness

Shumans book is critically important to anyone who cares about genuine economic development. Neither left nor right politically, its positive and encouraging, while confronting head-on the challenges of the approach he has advocated for years. Unlike many economic-development books that can be tedious, this one is engaging, even fun to read, like a good story told over a beerbut a practical story that will help communities reach a resilient future.

Michael Kinsley , manager, Rocky Mountain Institute

Michael Shuman is a pioneering voice for an economic development model that is sustainable and truly democratic. Ive read all his books, and this is the best one yet. Do yourself a favor and absorb his brilliance.

Kevin Danaher , cofounder of Global Exchange, Green Festivals, and Fair Trade USA

Michael Shuman pulls no punches in his biting review of local contemporary economic development. Every thoughtful practitioner, whether agreeing with his critique or not, must seriously consider Shumans nuanced approach to growing local economies through pollinator enterprises.

Robert Jaquay , The George Gund Foundation

Shumans many followers in the new economics movement will relish this latest offering for its focused message, compelling stories, and coherent vision. He embodies the Gandhian dictum to both see the change and be it. Readers new to his work will be appalled to learn of the counterproductive and corrupting practices in mainstream economic development, and relieved to encounter the creative entrepreneurs who are pollinating the spread of locally rooted alternatives.

Diana Chapman Walsh , president emerita, Wellesley College

Another blockbuster treatise on can-do, localized entrepreneurism. Shuman is a master.

Joel Salatin , Polyface Farm

The Local Economy Solution is Shuman at his best. Using language accessible to lay people and policy makers alike, Shuman explains why the standard model of economic development is flawed and goes into detail, with many examples, about better ways to build local economies. This should be mandatory reading for planners and business people across the country.

Chris Morrow , Northshire Bookstores

Also by Michael H. Shuman

Local Dollars, Local Sense

How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity

The Small Mart Revolution

How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition

Going Local

Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age

Towards a Global Village

International Community Development Initiatives

Security without War (co-written with Hal Harvey)

A Post-Cold War Foreign Policy

Citizen Diplomats (co-written with Gale Warner)

Pathfinders in Soviet-American Relations

Copyright 2015 by Michael H. Shuman.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

Editor: Joni Praded

Project Manager: Bill Bokermann

Copy Editor: Deborah Heimann

Proofreader: Helen Walden

Indexer: Peggy Holloway

Designer: Melissa Jacobson

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing May, 2015.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 15 16 17 18

Our Commitment to Green Publishing

Chelsea Green sees publishing as a tool for cultural change and ecological stewardship. We strive to align our book manufacturing practices with our editorial mission and to reduce the impact of our business enterprise in the environment. We print our books and catalogs on chlorine-free recycled paper, using vegetable-based inks whenever possible. This book may cost slightly more because it was printed on paper that contains recycled fiber, and we hope youll agree that its worth it. Chelsea Green is a member of the Green Press Initiative ( www.greenpressinitiative.org ), a nonprofit coalition of publishers, manufacturers, and authors working to protect the worlds endangered forests and conserve natural resources. The Local Economy Solution was printed on paper supplied by Thomson-Shore that contains 100% postconsumer recycled fiber.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data