By Lori Richardson, TNNW Northwest Bureau Chief
Sustainable Business Network of Portland, Oregon is a network of over 400 businesses who are locally owned, independent businesses committed to supporting other local businesses. In addition, to be accepted for membership, businesses must agree to be ethical, offer a healthy workplace, purchase and source local items when possible, and operate in ways that protect and restore the natural environment.
The SBN says that their members "are independent, locally owned businesses, farms, organizations, and individuals who are committed to this region and its quality of life."In the last dozen or so years, with the advent of the internet, we've created a worldwide marketplace - neat idea from the standpoint of opening the doors to the world, but what happened to supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses to impact our local communities? SBN states its member benefits very well:
Membership in the SBN of Portland is open to private businesses, non-profits and individuals who are interested in working together to create a Local Living Economy in the greater Portland area to: --Re-circulate more dollars in our community --Support and strengthen locally owned, independent businesses and jobs --Preserve and enhance our unique neighborhoods --Get consumers to commit to spending more dollars with our participating businesses. While benefits vary based on type of membership, the most import benefit is the ability to help create the type of community we want to live in.
Members can get discounts through group purchasing and deals from fellow members. There are opportunities for peer-to-peer advice and consulting, and ongoing networking events.
SBNP is a local network of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, began in Philadelphia in the late 1990's, and now an international alliance of independently operated local business networks dedicated to building Local Living Economies. This network personifies the good in Portland, Oregon - it is a green friendly, beautiful "big town" that seems innocent compared to Seattle to the north and San Francisco to the south.
They hold visionary luncheons periodically in the Portland area. For more information, contact them at http://www.sbnportland.org/.
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