Go Local

Go Local: Building Resilient Communities and a Regenerative Future

Ursula Sladek, winner of the 2011 Goldman Environmental Prize, transformed her small German town into one of the world’s first 100% clean, community-owned renewable power systems. Her story proves what’s possible when ordinary people unite to take control of their energy and their future.

Build Community

The Transition Town movement is spreading across the globe, empowering neighborhoods to work together to reimagine and rebuild a sustainable world — one community at a time. Transition initiatives focus on resilience, creativity, and cooperation, helping people reduce dependence on global supply chains while strengthening local economies and relationships.
Learn more at transitionnetwork.org

Strengthen Your Local Economy

Every dollar spent locally multiplies through your community.

• Each purchase from an independent business returns three times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain — and nearly 50 times more than buying from an online mega-retailer.

• Local businesses keep wealth circulating where it’s needed most — among neighbors, families, and community enterprises.

Support Sustainable and Healthy Living

Independent, community-based businesses are people-sized — they use less land, generate less traffic and pollution, and often carry locally made, eco-friendly products. By buying local, you reduce your carbon footprint, support green jobs, and promote a healthier environment for everyone.

Lower Taxes, Greater Value

Local businesses require fewer public subsidies and infrastructure costs, meaning lower taxes and more efficient use of local resources. They also provide better value and customer satisfaction — consumers consistently rate small, independent shops higher than chains in quality, service, and savings.

Create Jobs and Opportunities

Local businesses employ more people per dollar of revenue than large corporations and hire other local professionals — from farmers and designers to accountants and contractors. Each dollar spent locally helps build a thriving web of opportunity and innovation.

Give Back and Grow Together

Small businesses are the backbone of civic life. They donate twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, schools, and events as big corporations. Locally owned enterprises also give residents a voice in development decisions, strengthening local democracy and stewardship of shared resources.

Build Health and Resilience

Research shows a clear link between communities with many small, locally owned firms and higher levels of civic engagement, public health, and well-being. When we support local, we build not only economic resilience — but human resilience.