HumIBA publishes first Local Options Directory

The Humboldt County Independent
Business Alliance has published its first Local Options Independent
Business Directory, listing more than 550 local, independent
businesses, with coordinators saying the directory is the first of
its kind in Humboldt County.

”We're really proud of this
directory,” co-coordinator Scott Menzies said in a release. “It's
beautiful, and we've received nothing but rave reviews by those who
have seen it.”

The print directory includes education
and resource sections for residents, business owners, and tourists,
as well as a variety of indexes to make it easy to locate businesses.
The business listings are also online at www.humiba.org.

The directory also includes a local
food guide, published in partnership with the Community Alliance with
Family Farmers.

”It was great to have CAFF on board
to do the Local Food Guide,” said Menzies. “It's the kind of
cross-group collaboration we hope to do more of. We'd like to work
with other local organizations whose missions cover a specialized
group of businesses, such as artisans, technology, or green
building.”

The business resource section includes
information for current and prospective entrepreneurs from
organizations like the Arcata Economic Development Corporation, the
Small Business Development Center, and the Work Exchange Program,
which offers no-cost employees to businesses for up to six months.

For residents, there are articles on
the importance of buying local and independent, including some short
lessons on local economics.

”A common misconception is that
'local' is good enough,” said Menzies, “but, if you want to shop
truly locally and reap the most benefits for our community, you need
to be spending your money with 'independently owned' businesses.”

According to the release, the premise
of HumIBA and the other over 50 IBAs across the U.S. is that
independent businesses provide a range of benefits to our communities
that national chains cannot, including economic, social, and cultural
benefits.

”We're trying to make it clear that
we're more than consumers and business owners, but participants in an
ongoing community-development process where our everyday choices
shape the very future of Humboldt County,” Menzies said.

Independent businesses can sign up to
be listed for free in the online and the 2010 print directory by
contacting HumIBA at 476-8475 or filling out a Web form at
www.HumIBA.org.

(Link to story: http://www.times-standard.com/ci_12207581)