Press Kit

We welcome media interest in our work. For more information about BALLE, a set of current press clippings, or to arrange interviews with our thought leaders and local networks, please contact us using the information below.

BALLE's mission and vision

Mission: BALLE’s mission is to catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies.

Vision: Within a generation, we envision a global system of human-scale, interconnected Local Living Economies that functions in harmony with local ecosystems, meet the basic needs of all people, support just and democratic societies, and fosters joyful community life.

Local Living Economy Principles: Read more here.

Understanding BALLE networks

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is North America's fastest growing network of socially responsible businesses, comprised of over 80 community networks in 30 U.S. states and Canadian provinces representing more than 22,000 locally owned, independent business members.

BALLE networks create local living economies through the "building blocks" of independent retail, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green building, local zero-waste manufacturing, and community capital.

Local living economies start with entrepreneurs coming together to form a local network. The network's main focus might be a single issue, such as independent retail (a Local First campaign) or rebuilding local and regional food systems. Or, it might be bigger, such as transforming an entire regional economy. Each network evolves according to the needs, contours, and conditions of the local community with the ultimate goal of building a local living economy.

BALLE services for local networks

BALLE's varied services are designed to faciltate the development of community networks of independent businesses, to guide networks through various stages of development, to synthesize and communicate the best network development ideas and practices, and to build the larger movement for local living economies. Read more about our current suite of network services.

History of BALLE

Judy Wicks, a Philadelphia restaurateur who built the founding BALLE network the Sustainable Business Alliance of Greater Philadelphia around her business, the White Dog Café, wondered whether she could spread this framework for building a sustainable local economy to the rest of the country. Through her involvement with the Social Venture Network, a community of company founders, private investors, social entrepreneurs, and key influencers who share a commitment to building a just and sustainable world through business, she met Laury Hammel, owner of the Boston area's innovative Longfellow health clubs, and other people exploring the idea of a new organization to promote sustainable local economies.

In late 2001 they formed BALLE, which has since grown to include more than 80 other local business networks encompassing over 22,000 entrepreneurs in the US and Canada.

For a more detailed history, please click here.

Interviews with BALLE Thought Leaders

BALLE's national board, staff and local networks are reknowned leaders in the field of sustainability, social finance, social enterprise, and community-based economic development. Please contact us if you're interested in an interview.

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