The 2012 Green Business Roundtable kicked off in the first weekend of February with two very exciting speakers. TNCC, in partnership with the Wilkinson Public Library and a grant awarded to them from the Fetzer Institute and the American Library Association that focuses on community, civility, and compassion, served as host to Woody Tasch of the SlowMoney Alliance and Michael Brownlee of Transition Colorado who presented on their work both in Boulder County and nationally. Both the Slow Money movement and Transition Colorado are greatly concerned with the strengthening of local economies, particularly those that focus on local food because of the potential for economic development, healthier communities, and greater food security.
According to a study conducted in a partnership between Transition Colorado and Michael Shuman of BALLE (Business Alliance for Living Local Economies), it was found that just 25% food localization in the state of Colorado could create 31,022 new jobs, 1.3 billion dollars a year in new wages, and 2.1 billion per year in state tax revenue. Unfortunately, the state does not currently view food localization as a viable prospect for economic development, but with these numbers it is apparent that food localization could be a critical component to the economic development that this nation seeks in its current economic lull.
With greater community support and involvement by requesting local food, consuming local food, supporting local growers, and possibly even growing food in your own backyard, the tide is turning as this movement continues to see growing support. Keep up the good work!
Also, TNCC in a partnership with University Centers of San Miguel are hosting a Slow Money Book Club. So if you would like to continue the conversation and for more information please e-mail coordinator.tncc@gmail.com.
A big thanks to Woody and Michael for sharing your inspiring ideas with us!
For more information on the Slow Money and Transition Colorado, you can check out their websites here!
Also, you can watch the entire presentation here thanks to our frinds at Telluride TV and Wilkinson Public Library.