I first saw the above graphic (click on image or here to see a larger view) through my friends at the Sustainable Business Network (SBNYC) of New York City.  The Network was recently launched to organize, support and grow local sustainable business in all five boroughs. SBNYC is New York City’s BALLE affiliate, and the charts above are from another member organization in West Michigan called Local First, but apply to communities throughout the U.S.  Check out where your dollars go if you choose to support a local business over a nationally owned corporation: non-profit support, employment, reduction of environmental impact, and the list goes on. For more information, take a look at Michael H. Shuman’s “Going Local” or “Values Sell” by Nadine A. Thompson and Angela E. Soper.