PORT TOWNSEND — From the baker who knows everyone who comes through his door to the apple farmer who collaborates with others to grow trees for his orchard, Michelle Long lives and breathes the “buy local” approach to a healthy economy.
“We are having a dramatic effect on the economy in Northwest Washington,” said Long, Bellingham-based Sustainable Connections’ executive director, addressing about 60 who attended her presentation Tuesday at Fort Worden Commons.
Long joined East Coast economist and business entrepreneur Michael Shuman, who espoused the idea of local share-held investment in local businesses.
Originally created in 1997, Sustainable Connections was re-formed with Long as coordinator in 2001.
Today, the network of some 500 locally owned and environmentally conscious businesses primarily focuses on Whatcom County, but also has members in Skagit, Island and San Juan counties, she said.
Long heads up a seven-person staff and the Northwest Washington organization is a member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
Community business sustainability is key in Sustainable Connection’s mission, said Long.
Sustainable Connections is a business network establishing and supporting a local living economy that sustains itself, our community and a healthy environment.
“We are committed to being solutions-oriented,” she said.
“We need workable business solutions for a healthy tomorrow.”
In turn, she said, successful small businesses are supporting programs such as salmon restoration and those benefiting children. And, she adds, they are giving back to community nonprofit organizations.