‘Buy local’ effort rolls out directory
List includes 250 local businesses that aim to be green and socially responsible
In other circumstances, they might have welcomed the sharp drop in greenhouse gas emissions that last spring ’s lockdown triggered.
They were environmentalists who consider themselves socially responsible. But the pandemic “has been a shocker for all of us,” said Owusu Anane, Albany’s 10th Ward Common Council member. “It brought businesses to their knees.”
Anane spoke Tuesday afternoon outside the aptly named Green’s appliance store on Central Avenue as he and others gathered for the official launch of the Buy Local Grow Local online directory, a compilation of more than 250 green and
socially responsible businesses and services, all locally based.
The idea for a directory gathered steam in March, as COVID -19 was spreading rapidly in New York and other parts of the country. People of Albany United for Safe Energy led the effort, with PAUSE’S Sandy Steubing serving as project director.
Anane knows first-hand the important role small businesses play. In the area of Albany that he represents, they ’re a source of jobs as well as goods and services.
“This campaign will urge the community to support small businesses,” he said before leaving to return to his day job as a school teacher.
The directory ’s creators say they believe it is the first of its kind in the nation. No other directory, they say, focuses on businesses that are both environmentally responsive and socially responsible.
As for economic impact, Steubing says of every $100 spent locally, $68 stays in the community. “With big box stores, less than half ” of that remains local, she said.
Madeline and Al Green, whose appliance store hosted the press event announcing the
directory, are among the types of businesses included. Their third-generation family-owned business expanded a decade ago adding energy-efficient improvements and sourcing building materials locally. The result, Madeline Green said, was the first appliance and furniture retailer in the state to receive LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Angela and Elroy Tatem own You Inc. Wealth Education Services, a Niskayuna-based business that educates people to obtain the financial literacy they need to help them get out of debt, save money and learn the basics of investing.
And there’s Jack Magai, who formed a cooperative with his employees that made them business partners.
The business, More Trees Arborist Collective, prefers saving trees to cutting them down, and he said he was pleased the business was designated for its sustainability and social responsibility.
The directory also features locally grown produce suppliers, sustainable restaurants, community gardens and farmers markets.
The online directory is a work in progress. It can be found at Buylocalgrowlocal.org