Book Recommendation: Vermont Dollars, Vermont Sense

An exciting new publication released by the Post Carbon Institute and written by Michael Shuman and Gwen Hallsmith presents 28 tools for promoting investing locally, and offers examples of people, initiatives, and programs in the state of Vermont carrying out each of them. Our friends at Resilience.org offer a great description below:

A growing local economy movement is putting down roots in the United States and around the world, as people work to strengthen local businesses, promote "buy local" campaigns, and end subsidies and other unfair advantages given to nonlocal businesses. Even in its early stages, local investment is having significant impact. For example, Slow Money, a grassroots group promoting local food investment, has moved $38 million into more than 350 small farms and local food enterprises.

Vermont Dollars, Vermont Sense by Michael Shuman and Gwendolyn Hallsmith profiles 28 local investment tools for grassroots investors, businesses, finance professionals, and others--with examples of how these ideas are being realized today in Vermont, the state with the strongest local economy movement in the country. Vermont Dollars, Vermont Sense also makes clear that the local economy movement can and should be significantly larger than it is today, in Vermont and every other state. Using Vermont case studies, it charts the direction that people in every state can follow (future editions will offer specifics on a state-by-state basis).

At New Dream, we believe in strengthening and supporting local economies, and that successful local practices can impact nationwide conversations. We appreciate the work of organizations like Post Carbon Institute and their vital work in helping local economies thrive.