"Economic development as practiced today has three dubious characteristics. It focuses on nonlocal business. It lacks a coherent framework for assisting local business. And it is a top-­‐down enterprise. This presentation sets out an alternative set of principles and practices—a local living economies approach to economic development that focuses on local business, creates an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports them, and invites grassroots participation." Michael H. Shuman

A growing body of evidence suggests that the communities that have a high percentage of locally-owned businesses have greater wealth, higher voter turnout, better health outcomes and more jobs.

This presentation will take you through the evidence, introduce you to examples of what's working well, and give you a chance for some Q and A at the end.

This webinar is presented by Simon Fraser University's Certificate Program for Community Economic Development. It is the only program in North America providing leaders the skills, knowledge and networks to build sustainable, local economies.

Michael H. Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a Fellow at the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), Cutting Edge Capital, and Post-Carbon Institute. He is one of the world’s leading experts on community economics.

He makes a compelling case for focussing limited economic development resources on building local living economies.

Michael Shuman is an instructor in the Certificate Program for Community Economic Development.