Business leaders in Spokane decided to form a BALLE chapter in the Inland Northwest after Michelle Long, Executive Director of BALLE spoke and a Green Business Luncheon in September 2010.
After attending training in Bellingham, 9 businesses joined the steering committee to help shepherd the new network forward. Our steering committee members are:
Bill Bloom, Go Green Directory
Bruce Gage, Eco Depot
Cassie Price, Consulting and property development
Jeff Postlewait, Rocket Bakery
Kim Harmson, Kizuri
Paul Fish, Mountain Gear
Russ Nobbs, Rings and Things
Tanya Riordan, Hula Hut Grill
Tavis Schmidt, Clean Air Lawn Care
In February of 2011, the Sustainable Business Network of the Inland northwest was accepted as a new BALLE chapter, and in April of 2011, we completed our application to be a 501.c.3 in the state of Washington.
In addition to our steering committee, our programs team which includes representatives from Sunshine Disposal and Recycling, Copeland Architects, Sun People Dry Goods, and Winfiniti have worked to develop initial programs and focus areas that will help support Northwest businesses.
We look forward to working with more businesses in the Inland Northwest, and helping create a vibrant economy with a culture that supports local business.
The mission of the Sustainable Business Network of the Inland Northwest is to connect and support a coalition of local independent business dedicated to building a strong Local Living Economy.
Vision (The World We Want)
Within a generation, we envision a thriving economic region that supports local independent businesses, fosters viable local employment, joyful communities and a culture of respect for all.
Guiding Principles (How We Do Our Work)
A Local Living Economy ensures that economic power resides locally to the greatest extent possible, sustaining vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems in the process.
Our Local Living Economy is guided by the following principles:
Mission (What We Do)
The mission of the Sustainable Business Network of the Inland Northwest is to connect and support a coalition of local independent business dedicated to building a strong Local Living Economy.
Vision (The World We Want)
Within a generation, we envision a thriving economic region that supports local independent businesses, fosters viable local employment, joyful communities and a culture of respect for all.
Guiding Principles (How We Do Our Work)
A Local Living Economy ensures that economic power resides locally to the greatest extent possible, sustaining vibrant, livable communities and healthy ecosystems in the process.
Our Local Living Economy is guided by the following principles:
Think Local First: SBN builds Local Living Economies by supporting Local Independent Businesses. Member organizations start at home, by first considering buying locally produced food, products and services, by putting our capital to work through local investments, and by supporting local arts and independent local media, and encouraging others to do so as well. Thinking local first improves the health of the environment, strengthens community, and contributes to functional democracy.
Building Sustainable Prosperity: SBN believes in making decisions based on long-term impacts and supporting a prosperous community that works with the local independent businesses that support our community.
Independent and Interdependent: SBN builds community through local economic exchange, connecting producers with consumers, entrepreneurs with resources, and individuals with information. We believe collaboration, cooperation, and fair trade between individuals and communities sits at the core of a viable and vibrant society.
Work with Nature: SBN seeks to integrate our activities with natural systems in order to create real and lasting prosperity. Every decision we make affects the vitality of our ecosystem, the health of all species and the availability of the resources that support life.
Unique Perspectives: SBN celebrates and nurtures the natural diversity of the human family, ecosystems and economies. Diversity increases resilience, propels innovation, cultivates peace, and fosters beauty and joy.
Measure What Matters: SBN measures success by the things that really matter to us -- knowledge, creativity, relationships, health, consciousness and happiness -- rather than continuous material growth.
