Contrary to popular belief, many small, locally owned businesses actually out-perform their “big box” and Fortune 500 competition—both in outright profitability and the value they bring to consumers, workers, and communities. Unlike mega-stores and multi-national chains these small businesses stimulate the economy by buying supplies and services locally, adapt to (rather than fight against) higher local environmental and labor regulations, and stick around for many years, often many generations. In this lecture, The Small-Mart Revolution, Michael Shuman details dozens of specific strategies small and home-based businesses are using to successfully out-compete the world’s largest companies. And it shows how consumers, investors, policymakers, and organizers can effectively revitalize their own communities by supporting local businesses. Michael Shuman, an attorney and economist, is vice president for enterprise development for the Training & Development Corporation (TDC). He has written, co-written, or edited six books, including Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age, and, most recently, The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition. He is currently on the Board of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). This presentation is co-presented by SBNP and the Northwest Earth Institute. Doors open 6:45 p.m. $15-$20 sliding scale at the door or $12 in advance before Sept 10 (ticket reservations at 503 232-2943)