History of Dane Buy Local

Originally known as the Dane County Buy Local Initiative, Dane Buy Local was founded in 2004 as a program of Wisconsin Partners for SustainAbility.

Michael Shuman's book, Going Local, a conference put on by Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and a retreat held by EF Schumacher Society on local economies were behind our inspiration.

What attracted early adopters of the Dane Buy Local Idea?

• Importance of local ownership and purchasing
• Supporting small business practices and ethics
• Sense of community
• Desire to learn
• Belonging and inclusion
• Sustainability
• Respect
• Value of uniqueness vs. sameness
• Commitment to future generations
• Better quality of life for all
• Building social and economic capital

In 2005, Jeff Milchen of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) spoke at a small business forum hosted by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. After letting Mayor Dave and Jeff know that we had a fledgling effort already started right here in Madison we were granted a couple of minutes to describe the initiative for the audience and then asked for volunteers. As a result, we hooked up with a couple of talented people who volunteered to do our initial web programming and design. The look of the website quickly became our hallmark.  “Friendly Faces, Neighborhood Places” posters started showing up on storefronts around Madison.

Dane Buy Local had the good fortune of engaging business community pacesetters from the beginning who worked to draft mission and values statements as well as organizing strategies. Mayor Dave and County Executive Kathleen Falk have publicly commended Dane Buy Local and we're fortunate that they push local purchasing policies.

Today we have over 540 members and are proud that Dane Buy Local is one of many successful buy local initiatives nationwide. Keeping members engaged through bimonthly breakfast meetings and evening socials has kept our momentum going. Member surveys and educational seminars are offered as additional means to engage and help businesses learn how to become more successful. Our challenge now is to keep up with our members and stay ahead of the wave of interest.