Become Part of the Network...
In an effort to extend its reach to support sustainability, PiES has joined the BALLE Network. The acronym stands for Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and BALLE's mission is to catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. BALLE is the world's fastest growing network of sustainable businesses. Living Economies start with entrepreneurs coming together to form a local network. As noted by BALLE co-founder and chair, Judy Wicks, “In order to build a local living economy, we must first determine what one looks like – what are the components, or building blocks, which comprise this sustainable system? By identifying the building blocks, we create a holistic vision of a local living economy that we can work toward achieving.”
BALLE networks connect the dots between the building blocks of a local living economy – sustainable local food systems, green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing, community capital and others – within the context of their local economies. These “building blocks” represent the basic pillars of most local economies. Rather than choosing one sector within which to work, BALLE networks recognize that sustainable local communities and economies are based on the systemic relationship between these building blocks. We don’t prioritize or isolate the importance of energy efficiency from investing in local energy production, or ‘green’ buildings from the health of their occupants, or the viability of local farms from the prosperity of the grocers to whom they sell.
Many BALLE networks begin by building deep programs in one or more building blocks. Networks also have many cross-cutting initiatives that broadly support their general membership – such as member directories, Think Local First campaigns, and sustainable business education. PiES mission to assist community based green companies is consistent with the BALLE mission, and is focused on three of the six building blocks of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing. Additionally, PiES local partnership with the Davidson Farmer’s Market provides this growing non-profit organization the opportunity to share its knowledge and experience with local sustainable food systems. Another building block includes independent retail, which PiES hopes to partner with area merchant groups and downtown organizations.
BALLE networks connect the dots between the building blocks of a local living economy – sustainable local food systems, green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing, community capital and others – within the context of their local economies. These “building blocks” represent the basic pillars of most local economies. Rather than choosing one sector within which to work, BALLE networks recognize that sustainable local communities and economies are based on the systemic relationship between these building blocks. We don’t prioritize or isolate the importance of energy efficiency from investing in local energy production, or ‘green’ buildings from the health of their occupants, or the viability of local farms from the prosperity of the grocers to whom they sell.
Many BALLE networks begin by building deep programs in one or more building blocks. Networks also have many cross-cutting initiatives that broadly support their general membership – such as member directories, Think Local First campaigns, and sustainable business education. PiES mission to assist community based green companies is consistent with the BALLE mission, and is focused on three of the six building blocks of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy, local zero waste manufacturing. Additionally, PiES local partnership with the Davidson Farmer’s Market provides this growing non-profit organization the opportunity to share its knowledge and experience with local sustainable food systems. Another building block includes independent retail, which PiES hopes to partner with area merchant groups and downtown organizations.