Michael Shuman

Have you heard? The revolution is coming! On Sept. 8 Michael Shuman, a nationally recognized economist, attorney, and author will be at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville at 6 p.m. to present information on how the cutting-edge economic developers (except at the national level) increasingly recognize the importance of strengthening locally owned, small businesses. Don’t miss this event. To get your ticket call the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce office at 304-455-3825.

The Small-Mart Revolution is about how local businesses are beating the global competition and how going local creates self-reliant communities in a global age.

Among the themes explored at the conference will be:  The key to community prosperity is a vigorous network of locally owned businesses serving primarily local markets–the exact opposite of what most economic developers push.

Despite all the popular discussion of globalization, worldwide trends (like rising oil prices) are making small, local businesses increasingly competitive.

Jaw-dropping innovations in small business, whether for-profit or nonprofit, can be found everywhere, and provide compelling blueprints for localization.

The principal obstacles standing in the way of localization are public policies (like business-attraction “incentives”) that are uniformly tilted against small business.

Localization can and should appeal to right and left alike, by combining conservatives’ passion for free markets, small business, and small government with progressives’ passion for community empowerment, sustainability, and real democracy.

Tickets are priced at $25 and can be reserved by calling the chamber office at 304-455-3825.

Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce President Don Riggenbach announced recently a new educational partnership between the Chamber and Americorps VISTA volunteers serving in West Virginia. The chamber will be funding scholarships to its upcoming Small-Mart Conference for all VISTA volunteers serving in West Virginia.

The Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary partnership of businesses and business professionals working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in Wetzel County.

Americorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty.

Founded in 1965 as Volunteers In Service To America, the program was incorporated into the Americorps network of programs in 1993. VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. About 6,500 Vista volunteers are placed each year in low-income communities around the country.