Category Archives: Local Economy

Local shops and jobs are recognised as being critical to the long-term viability of community life. Although some rural communities have become ‘dormitory villages’ from which people commute to large conurbations every day, it is possible to imagine a slow reversal of this trend. This ought to be a virtuous circle: the more that people work from home or set up business locally, the more they are likely to support local shops and services, thereby increasing the opportunities for further investment and employment in the area.

Ideally, local businesses would not only hire local people, they would also source their supplies or raw materials locally too, thereby cutting the carbon emissions involved in the complex supply lines that sustains all businesses.

Local Economy Ideas

• Work with chamber of commerce to identify ways of encouraging local employment
• Protect and expand local shops and services
• Improve the quality of the facilities and public environment in traditional shopping districts

ETNet Local Economy Projects

• Highbridge Community Farm – Get involved in growing your own food – it’s local to you
• Wild Fruit and Nut Mapping – Pick your own fruit and nuts around you – it’s local to you