Keep money in the community

Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses keep dollars local longer, enriching the whole community. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, nearly half goes back into the community and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain store, less than 15% is recirculated.

Embrace what makes us different


In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinct character have an economic advantage. If we wanted to live somewhere that looked like everywhere else, we wouldn’t be living in the Ithaca area.

Get better service

Local businesses often hire people who have a better understanding of the products they’re selling, and take more time to get to know customers.

Buy what you want

…not what someone wants you to buy. 
A marketplace of small businesses means low prices over the long term. Small businesses choosing products based on what their customers love and need—not a national sales plan—guarantees a more diverse range of product choices.

Create more good jobs


Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally, offer greater loyalty to their employees, and in most sectors provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

Help out the environment


Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, and walkable town centers, which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

Support community groups


Nonprofits receive an average 350% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

Invest in the community

Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining our historic town centers and linking neighbors. Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here, and are more invested in our future, because they directly feel the impact of our decisions.

Put your taxes to good use


Local businesses need comparatively less infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

Attract Talent


Individuals are more likely to invest in or move to communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and unique attitude.

A Living Economy

…ensures that economic power resides locally to the greatest extent possible, sustaining vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems in the process.

A Living Economy

…is guided by the principles of producing and exchanging locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade fairly in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home. These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation.

Living economy public policies

…support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.

Living economy citizens

…appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a price premium to secure those personal and community benefits.

Living economy investors

…value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a “living return” on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.

Living economy media

…provide sources of news independent of corporate control, so that citizens can make informed decisions in the best interests of their communities and natural environment.

Living economy businesses

…are independent, primarily locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders while building long-term profitability. They strive to source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local procurement, provide employees a healthy workplace with meaningful living-wage jobs, offer customers personal service and useful safe, quality products.

They work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange and cooperate with other businesses in ways that balance their self-interest with their obligation to the community and future generations. They use their business practices to support an inclusive & healthy community, to protect our natural environment, and to yield a “living return” to owners and investors.