We are proud and excited to announce that we have joined the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies and have become the first Hoosier BALLE (pronounced bah-lee) network!  

We first found BALLE when we were doing the preliminary research for creating Local First Indiana.  We found ourselves wandering over to the BALLE website daily to answer our many questions.  BALLE does an excellent job of showing, through research and studies, how the work of local independent business supports the economy of the cities they are rooted in.

Many of you remember that we brought Michelle Long, the Executive Director of BALLE, to speak to a crowd of over 100 business owners and community leaders last November when we launched Local First Indiana.  She talked about the importance of the work that local business owners do for our economy, every day that they show up to work.  This presentation hit home with many. 

Watch Michelle Long's welcome speech at the 2010 BALLE Conference in Charleston, SC:

http://vimeo.com/13889267

What is BALLE?

BALLE consists of over 80 other networks made up of over 22,000 local businesses and is the fastest growing network of socially-responsible businesses in North America. BALLE's mission is "catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies." BALLE members networks are not chapters or franchises, but are independent member networks that are joining together to learn from each other, share experiences and expertise, and form a strong learning community.  BALLE takes an inclusive, positive, solution-oriented approach to community development.  BALLE networks integrate across all sectors of the economy-from retail, food, and services businesses to nonprofits, manufacturing, banking.

See BALLE's website to read more about their Mission, Vision, and Principles.

Or watch a video of BALLE Board Member Sandy Wiggins discussing these: http://vimeo.com/13715333

Why did Local First Indiana Join BALLE?

We joined BALLE to benefit from the combined experience and expertise of 80 other networks like ours with over 22,000 business members. Local and state governments have lauded BALLE networks, like Sustainable Connections in Bellingham, Washington, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, and Local First Arizona as key partners in local economic development and sustainability. Most importantly, BALLE offers a connection to these peers across North America.   BALLE also offers guidance on various topics through workshops, manuals, synthesizing research, consulting, webinars, and an annual conference.  We hope that being plugged into the resources and community of BALLE will make our jobs easier and have a greater impact on our community.  Through BALLE, we'll be able to share our successes with other communities.

See a list of BALLE's network services.