There's something ominous afoot in Mendocino County, slowly creeping its way up Highway 101 and reaching its tentacles up Highway 128Ñthe sprawl that has plagued Sonoma County is coming our way.
Though we may think we're impervious to such a thing given our far-flung geography, that only makes Mendocino even more attractive to investors. As illustrated by the newly-widened 101 south of Hopland and the proliferation of new box stores, hotel chains, and car dealerships to the north as well as south of Ukiah, developers are preparing for a new phase of growth in our community.
Growth is one of those occurrences we must accept, despite some of the Luddite and reactionary philosophies we hold here. But in observing what has happened to regions south of us, we must examine what we want growth in Mendocino County to look like, and work to create the kind of community we'd like to see. When the wine industry declines as a result of a flooded market, and land currently in use for vineyards is sold off to developers, do we want to see that land used to grow food for the community and as a location for locally-based businesses; or will we let it be subdivided into cookie-cutter homes to be inhabited by people with no sense of community integrity?
Similarly, do we want to see yet another pear orchard decimated to create space for a shopping center constructed of toxic materials containing national chain stores that provide products manufactured overseas and food produced across the country; or make a cooperative owned and operated by locals, selling (or bartering) goods and services provided by our friends, created from locally-grown, locally-produced materials? No matter where we fall on the socio-political spectrum, going local is a benefit to us all.
A business owner knows that the cost of transporting a product greatly affects the bottom line. Ultimately, they must pass this cost onto the consumer. If that same product were produced locally, in addition to saving on transportation costs, the money spent on purchasing that product would remain in the community to support other local ventures. We could continue this pattern of bringing external inputs into our community that ultimately end up costing more economically, socially, and environmentally, or we can support goods that can be produced locally with local resources by local residents.
So how do we go about creating an "alternative" economic infrastructure? Fortunately, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The Social Ventures Network, a socially responsible business organization based in San Francisco, has created the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, or BALLE. Frequently described as an "alternative chamber of commerce," the BALLE mission is "to create, strengthen and connect local business networks dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies." A "local living" economy is defined as one that "provides secure and fulfilling livelihoods for all people, works in harmony with natural systems, supports biological and cultural diversity, and fosters fulfilling and enjoyable community life."
One of the greatest assets of the BALLE model is that it addresses each facet of local communities, acknowledging that each has something to contribute to the greater good. Farms, non-profits, households, government entities, as well as private businesses can all participate in creating a community where everyone profits. Everyone is welcomeÉwith the exception of publicly-owned enterprises that are accountable to shareholders rather than to the communities in which those businesses are located.
BALLE provides local networks with the necessary tools, or "building blocks," to create a living economy within their own region. The national BALLE objectives "direct resources, tools and business models to local networks; link local living economies through the online international marketplace of independently-owned, community-based businesses; organize events that bring these business owners together; connect capital to living economy enterprises; and support national and local public policies which strengthen independent local businesses and farms, promote equity and protect the environment." Local BALLE networks are autonomous, with their own names, missions, and initiatives, yet share a commitment to the BALLE principles.
Some efforts that other BALLE networks have taken on are: local purchasing efforts, support of community-based businesses, educational events about living economies, and advocating public policies that support local living economies. However, most of these networks are based in urban areas, where the needs are quite divergent from our own.
Members from Sustainable Mendocino, the Mendocino Organic Network, and some new friends have coalesced around the BALLE concept, trying to figure out how we can create one for Mendocino County that considers the varied issues with which we are faced. After months of meetings, we have finally brought forth a name and mission statement that we feel expresses what we aim to create, as follows.
"We believe that when we take care of our common place and everyone who lives here, we take care of ourselves and ensure a secure future for coming generations. We believe that everyone has a role and responsibility to contribute to the common good. Our goal is to join our voices and our creative power to build a community that provides security and health for all in food, water, shelter, and the ecosystems on which we depend.
¥ We support and seek to enable the growth of broad-based local ownership and right livelihoods for the sake of our common good.
¥ To do this, we support locally- owned farms and businesses, and encourage the development of new ones.
¥ We promote economic justice in our community.
¥ We recognize organizations that offer respect and equitable compensation for workers.
¥ We support an economy that uses land and resources to provide for local needs first and a healthy environment for future generations.
¥ We advocate relationships of respect and support collaborations among non-profit organizations, governmental entities, households, native tribal communities, and individuals."
We will be soliciting local enterprises to join us in order to create a unified presence in the county community that stands behind these principles. Together, we can shape the policies that impact the future growth of Mendocino County. Planned projects include educational events about biodynamic agriculture, a coupon book, the creation of a recognizable logo for member businesses to place on the windows of storefronts, and social events where members share best practices.
With the county General Plan in the works, the Georgia-Pacific mill site up for grabs, and an uncertain national infrastructure, a strong local community is more important than ever. Contact the MEC at 468-1660 to find out about Mendocino Alliance meetings.
If you'd like more information about the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, check out www.livingeconomies.org.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2003
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited