As business owners and community members in Northboro, we care deeply about our commnity's future and prosperity.  We have seen a number of communities, including neighboring Worcester, benefit from the activities of a local business alliance and seek to build on their success and bring a local living economies model to our community.By creating a network of local businesses, residents, non-profits and other key stakeholders, we will create a voice in the community to affect positive social change and advance a local living economy agenda.  When we are successful, our local economy will be stronger and our local businesses healthier.  For the past 3 years, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance has documented the affect that such networks have on the revenues of local businesses through their Annual Survey of Independent Businesses.  The survey, which engages more than 2,500 businesses nationwide shows that businesses in communities with grassroots local business networks experience about a 5% revenue growth premium over their counterparts in communities without such a aliance.But its not just our businesses that stand to benefit; far from it.  Our community will also benefit in a variety of ways.  By localizing our purchasing, Northboro will also reduce our collective carbon footprint by reducing the distance our food and products need to travel to reach us.  Further, studies have shown that communities that have a healthy small business environment see higher levels of civic participation and experience better health.By following a proven model that has worked in commuinities nearby and across the country, we will develop a powerful network that will help raise the consciousness of our residents, members and stakeholders and inspire them to lead more locally-focused, community-centered lives.