About Us
We say we want vibrant local economies, healthy neighborhoods and downtown areas, and less sprawl into our outlying green spaces - but we don't always support the existing local options that will help us realize this vision.

Why does "going local" matter?
It's about:
  • Building communites that are a healthier and more sustainable, supported by local economies that are stronger and more resilient;
  • Keeping money local and communites vibrant;
  • Using local and regional resources to meet our needs, not being dependent on resources shipped from halfway across the globe;
  • Reconnecting eaters with farmers, investors with entrepreneurs, and business owners with the communities and natural places on which they depend;
  • Creating more high-quality local jobs - for our neighbors, our families, and ourselves; and
  • Recognizing that we can't just "do it alone" and that, in the end, we're all better off when we're all better off.
We need to invest in communities that celebrate a more comprehensive vision of happiness and prosperity, where all people have the resources and opportunites they need to engage their minds, nourish theur bodies, nurture their families, support their neighbors, and protect their environment. But even as we focus on our own communites, it's important for us to recognize our broader role in crafting a larger, global network of cooperatively interlinked and sustainable local economies.

As individuals and as communites, we have tremendous power to change the way our economy operates. By working collaboratively and sharing resources, we can come together to build vibrant and supportive local economies - where we can share of skills and talents, get our needs met, and focus on what really matters in life.

Think Local First believes we can create prosperity for all.

Our mission is to support and cultivate locally-owned, independent businesses in Washtenaw County, Michigan that are committed to making our community a healthier and more vibrant place to live.
Think Local First provides resource sharing and community building opportunities for locally-owned independent businesses as well as raising community awareness and developing strategies for supporting these businesses.

We work in the following program areas: 
  • Support of Locally-Owned Independent Business: We support the growth and development of local living economy businesses by creating opportunities for business leaders to network and share best practices of sustainable local business.
  • Community Education: We encourage local and sustainable purchasing by county residents and businesses and educate the community about local living economies through our resource guide, website, newsletter, events, and through public speaking engagements.

MEMBER LOGIN
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Think Local First 2014
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