In my philosophical opinion, it is important for a local economy to decrease it’s dependence on state, national and international outside influences. Therefore, hyperlocal is where real systemic change happens to improve the lives of the people affected by these outside influences.
Let me define some terms:
“Outside influences” are institutions, government entities, foreign nations or global corporations that control local economies and exploit their raw materials and people.
“Local economies” are at the city and county level where real relationships can be made that coalesce a sense of belonging, responsibility and ownership. “Hyperlocal economies” are at the neighborhood and family/friends level. These hold the hope for reforming the other levels.
So why am I writing this article? Each person reading this senses that something is broken in the systems that surround us. We talk of government corruption, economic disparity, religious persecution and denigration of human rights but we don’t act practically to combat these things. Why? We feel them to be too large for our effort to make a difference.
This sense is not exclusive to Republicans or Democrats, rich or poor, Christian or non-Christian, male or female. It is common to the human experience. For those who have ears to hear and eyes to see, alarm bells are going off. We can no longer ignore the bells but we can turn them into harmonious music instead of chaotic tonal disturbances.
Here’s my proposal:
Go “hyperlocal”. Start with your family/friends, neighborhood, schools and workplace to advocate and live the type of change you are wanting to see. One of the easiest places to start is with your local farmer/rancher. Buy your food directly from them. Get to know them, their family and their agricultural practices. If you buy your beef, chicken, milk, eggs and bread from a producer in your “neighborhood” or town, you have bypassed, in a small way, beef imported from overseas by transnational corporations like JBS Foods, Inc. or bread made by Bimbo Bakeries USA, the largest commercial baking company in the USA and chicken from Tyson Foods (don’t get me started here).You have started what might grow into a chain reaction or movement in your spheres of influence.
Start today. Research hyperlocal businesses to support and get out there and make it happen. This helps our neighborhoods and towns be more resilient from the effects of outside influences. It builds relationships that are far more valuable than the transactional “relationships” we have with big business.
Going “hyperlocal” holds the hope for a better future. It enriches and strengthens neighborly relationships. It creates stronger local economies that resist outside forces that militate against them. It rebuilds trust in mayors and city councils. It creates neighborhood specific ecosystems that self-govern through “loving your neighbor as yourself.” Hyperlocal creates momentum to reform county, state, national and international spheres.
Call me pollyann-ish. Say, like Don Quixote, I am idealistic, romantic, or foolishly impractical. Make fun of me, negative Nellys. I will say to you the words of a prophet,
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin....” Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) Start now!
Joseph Cartwright loves Jesus, family, Texas... in that order. He is chairman of the Collinsville Economic Development Corporation.