{"product_id":"the-local-economy-solution-michael-shuman-9781603585750","title":"The Local Economy Solution: How Innovative, Self-Financing Pollinator Enterprises Can Grow Jobs and Prosperity","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReinventing economic development as if small business mattered\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn cities and towns across the nation, economic development is at a crossroads. A growing body of evidence has proven that its current cornerstone--incentives to attract and retain large, globally mobile businesses--is a dead end. Even those programs that focus on local business, through buy-local initiatives, for example, depend on ongoing support from government or philanthropy. The entire practice of economic development has become ineffective and unaffordable and is in need of a makeover. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Local Economy Solution\u003c\/em\u003e suggests an alternative approach in which states and cities nurture a new generation of special kinds of businesses that help local businesses grow. These cutting-edge companies, which Shuman calls \"pollinator businesses,\" are creating jobs and the conditions for future economic growth, and doing so in self-financing ways. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Pollinator businesses are especially important to communities that are struggling to lift themselves up in a period of economic austerity, when municipal budgets are being slashed. They also promote locally owned businesses that increase local self-reliance and evince high labor and environmental standards. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The book includes nearly two dozen case studies of successful pollinator businesses that are creatively facilitating business and neighborhood improvements, entrepreneurship, local purchasing, local investing, and profitable business partnerships. Examples include Main Street Genome (which provides invaluable data to improve local business performance), Supportland (which is developing a powerful loyalty card for local businesses), and Fledge (a business accelerator that finances itself through royalty payments). It also shows how the right kinds of public policy can encourage the spread of pollinator businesses at virtually no cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Michael Shuman\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1603585753\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781603585750\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Chelsea Green Publishing Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/11\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 248\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.80lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.10w x 0.60d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/15\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2015","brand":"Michael Shuman","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43989365195007,"sku":"9781603585750","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_9deabee6-cbeb-40d3-afdd-088b6230074c.jpg?v=1683299075","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-local-economy-solution-michael-shuman-9781603585750","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}