The Rise of the 'Locavore'

The rise of farmers' markets—in city centers, college towns, and rural squares—is testament to a dramatic shift in American tastes. Consumers increasingly are seeking out the flavors of fresh, vine-ripened foods grown on local farms rather than those trucked to supermarkets from faraway lands. "This is not a fringe foodie culture," says Flaccavento. "These are ordinary, middle-income folks who have become really engaged in food and really care about where their food comes from."
Read the whole article here.

"What's in it for me?" What to say when consumers ask why they should shop locally.

This question is perhaps best answered by Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local and Small-Mart: How Local Businesses are Beating the Local Competition.
"Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It Means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs."

Buy Locally -- Support Yourself

The web site and blog "Sustainable Connections" explains the many benefits to our communities and to each of us to choosing local, independently owned businesses.
They say, "We realize it is not always possible to buy what you need locally and so merely ask you to Think Local FIRST!" We agree.
Read all about it here.

It's time for a property-tax revolution, says Nassau County supervisor

Suozzi: Nassau residents being crushed by property taxes; Not everyone here is rich

Business Week just noted that Nassau County is home to nine of the 25 wealthiest communities in America. With Albany in the middle of budget negotiations, this "recognition" is the last thing we need right now. For decades, Nassau has been misperceived around the state as an affluent suburb. But the reality is that some 95 percent of Nassau's residents are not wealthy - and are being crushed by property taxes, Tom Suozzi opines in Newsday.

Now's the time for New York State's elected officials to give us property tax relief. If we don't get it - and get it now - we might just have to revolt.

Read more about it here.

Al Fresco Dining in Northport to begin April 1

It's no April fool's joke; Northport village will start allowing sidewalk dining April 1.

After a standing-room-only crowd filed into Village Hall for a public hearing on the topic March 18, over two dozen people got up to speak, most in favor of the village's proposal.

Times of Northport reporter Karen Forman tells us all about it here.

Huntington Life Editorial in Support of HTBC's Mission

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY
It’s tempting to shop online or at some superstore to save a few dollars. This is especially true when times are tough. But the truth is that shopping locally and using local service providers is good for your community and good for you. The money you spend is used locally. It helps to keep local businesses open and your neighbors employed. Shopping locally helps contribute to the local tax base which helps provide for local services. Shopping locally also save time and gas. Shopping Locally Makes Cents!

Newsday Takes Note of HTBC's Efforts

Newsday notes the formation of the HTBC in its Huntington Local blog.
The Huntington Township Business Council is a coalition comprised of business and community leaders within the Village and Hamlets of Huntington working together to develop and implement effective strategies at a grassroots level which will benefit and support our local retail and business communities. The initiative, which was originally spearheaded by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, is welcomed within the Huntington communities and receiving an abundance of community support. "The mission is simple. The business community has joined together to help promote life and business in our great Town and so doing we will encourage the wonderful people in all parts of the Town to shop and buy locally," said Tom Kehoe, Co-Chair of the Huntington
Township Business Council and Trustee, Northport Village.

Business Council reveals final poster image

The Huntington Township Business Council (HTBC) reveals final poster and bugs and will be following up over the next week with an aggressive agenda that will insure our messaging has the right "reach and frequency" to make a difference in all our communities, according to Executive Board Member Bob Bontempi.

Each community within the township will use the same blue and yellow logo with the name of their community at bottom.

New York CPAs Assess the Economy; Declare it 'Fair to Poor'

A year-end CPA Poll by the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), tabulated and analyzed by the New York University Stern School of Business, says that 92.96% CPA respondents rated present business conditions fair to poor in New York State. CPAs (52.3%) believe it will take up to five years to recover; 40.48% are more optimistic expecting a recovery in two years. See the full report here. http://www.nysscpa.org/society/PR/01-08-03release.htm

Eco-Patriotism And Stimulating Your Local Economy

Every single American has the power to stimulate their local economies: not by spending more, but by supporting local businesses. That's according to Earth Watch International. In economic theory, more local spending translates into less "leakage". This means a greater percent of the money spent actually stays and circulates within the region, supporting more employment, investment, goods and services. Local spending leads to economic multipliers that strengthen the regional economy.

If we're lucky enough to have great local bakeries like Copenhagen, seen in photo at the Northport Farmer's Market, we all win!
Read the whole article from EarthWatch International here.

Townwide Business Alliance Attacks Economic Crisis Locally

Business Leaders, Government, Civic Groups, School Districts, Employers, Community and Service Organizations launch grassroots effort to jump start local economy

The economic crisis facing our nation is not sparing Long Island or any other region of New York State. The continued downward spiral in consumer spending, lack of confidence in the stock markets, and increased unemployment is having a profound negative impact on local small businesses and Main Street throughout the country. On Long Island, both counties report a drop in anticipated sales tax revenue, and a
proposed decrease in state aid which will likely result in service cuts, layoffs, increases in certain fees and higher property taxes. In the belief that recovery begins on Main Street, a group of business and community leaders from the hamlets and villages of Huntington have established the Huntington Township Business Council.

The Huntington Township Business Council is a coalition comprised of business and community leaders within the Village and Hamlets of Huntington working together to develop and implement effective strategies at a grassroots level which will benefit and support our local retail and business communities. The initiative, which was originally
spearheaded by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, is welcomed within the Huntington communities and receiving an abundance of community support. "The mission is simple. The business community has joined together to help promote life and business in our great Town and so doing we will encourage the wonderful people in all parts of the Town to shop and buy locally," said Tom Kehoe, Co-Chair of the Huntington Township Business Council and Trustee, Northport Village.

For information about joining the Huntington Township Business Council, please contact the Huntington Chamber of Commerce at 631-423-6100.

Creating a "people-watching" niche

Cafes as outdoor theater

From entertainment centers to food stores to apparel and home hearth niches, planner David Milder of DANTH, Inc. in Kew Gardens regularly gathers data for reports on the trends shaping downtown revitalizations.

On comparing the so-called "mommy niche" to tweens and teens, Mr. Milder writes that the latter, "do have a lot of discretionary dollars to spend and they love doing so. But, most of their money comes from their parents and during tough economic timestheir “incomes” and retail expenditures can dramatically decrease. This was demonstrated during our nation’s last recession. Furthermore, moms have control over the spending of many, many more dollars.

He also offers advice on things such as downtown friendly parking and how to create pedestrian friendly streets such as those he has seen on Church Street in Burlington, VT, as seen in the photo above.

"About a year ago, I was sipping an espresso outside of the Café de Flore on the Boulevard St. Germain in Paris, when I had an epiphany about downtown entertainment niches. In downtowns known for their truly urban flair, an informal type of entertainment takes place in which people, just by being themselves, entertain each other. This kind of informal entertainment seems to be maximized when a downtown can attract interesting people and provide opportunities for visitors to engage in casual activities that they enjoy and that engross and amuse observers.

"It occurred to me that Café de Flore was not just a dispensary of food and drink but also an important entertainment venue. Right there, a lot of things were grabbing my attention and amusing or moving me. Most of all, it was the people I could observe — those sitting at nearby tables, the pedestrians strolling by, the waiters, and even some car drivers displaying rather unique maneuvers."

On comparing the so-called "mommy niche" to tweens and teens, Mr. Milder writes that the latter, "do have a lot of discretionary dollars to spend and they love doing so. But, most of their money comes from their parents and during tough economic timestheir “incomes” and retail expenditures can dramatically decrease. This was demonstrated during our nation’s last recession. Furthermore, moms have control over the spending of many, many more dollars.

Read more from Mr. Danth, here.