Active and Healthy Independent Businesses

Active and Healthy Independent Businesses

I found an interesting post on Cinda Baxter’s “Always Upward” blog- How does independent business rate in your town?. She talks about the “Top 25” and “Bottom 25” rankings of metropolitan areas, based on how “independent brick and mortar healthy” they are. The study was conducted by Civic Economics. “The more active and supported local businesses are in an area, the higher the score; the less active and supported, the lower the score.” That makes sense.

One of the most important findings of the study is that “communities who actively participate in a pro-independent ‘buy local’ program (such as the 3/50 Project or similar) came out better than those who did not.” That also makes sense.

It seems that organizations such as the 3/50 Project are filling a vacuum that was once occupied by local Chambers of Commerce. There are other, smaller, very local organizations that are being formed to try and coordinate efforts to support local businesses. I am a member of such an organization, the Business Alliance of Orange County, which is “Dedicated to Building a Vibrant Regional Economy.” The organization is funded through memberships, sponsorships, and events, and we are in process of launching an initiative we call “OC34.” (Hint: there are 34 cities in Orange County).

I enjoy being a member of the BAOC, and am also on the OC34 committee. I am looking forward to the launch of OC34, as well as some other programs that will be introduced through BAOC, in an effort to make Orange County a very active and healthy place for independent brick and mortar businesses.