Michael Shuman

Fellow, Local Economies

Economics

Michael Shuman is director of research for Cutting Edge Capital, director of research and economic development at the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and a Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute. He holds an AB with distinction in economics and international relations from Stanford University and a JD from Stanford Law School. He has led community-based economic-development efforts across the country and has authored or edited seven previous books, including The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition (2006), Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age (1998) and Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Acheive Real Prosperity

In recent years, Michael has led community-based economic-development efforts in St. Lawrence County (NY), Hudson Valley (NY), Katahdin Region (ME), Martha's Vineyard (MA), and Carbondale (CO), and served as a senior editor for the recently published Encyclopedia of Community. He has given an average of more than one invited talk per week for 25 years throughout the United States and the world.

View Michael's speaking terms

videos

Michael Shuman Brisbane 2012

length: 54:49   credit: Energising Communities

Leading American economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur and advocate for local business, Michael Shuman toured Australia in September. Shuman is the author of Local Dollars, Local Sense.

audio

Local Dollars, Local Sense on ABC Brisbane

length:   credit: ABC Brisbanedownload

Local Dollars, Local Sense coverIf you've got a mortgage, then you're probably hoping that the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates again before Christmas.

But for those of you who are self-funded retirees, any interest rate cut means a drop in your income. Is there a way to beat what the banks are offering, and invest in a scheme locally and get a good return on your money?

According to author Michael Shuman : yes. He's the author of eight books - his latest is Local dollars - Local sense, and he's coming to the Coast next tuesday to tell us how we can revolutionise the way we invest.

Latest Publications

The Little Grocery That Could

Michael Shuman    May 22, 2012   

What happens next in the economy – the nation’s, the state’s, and Seattle’s – no longer lies in the hands of Capitol Hill politicians, the Federal Reserve, or even the boards of companies like … >>

The Main Street To Recaptured Capital

Michael Shuman    Aug 29, 2012   

By Mike Rotkin, Solutions Journal As a former mayor of Santa Cruz, California, I have had a sustained interest in alternative investment strategies for local communities. Most of the proposals I’ve studied and worked … >>

ECONOMY: The Competitiveness of Local Living Economies

Michael Shuman    Nov 03, 2010   

EXCERPT: Economic localization offers the key to solving a growing number of global problems, including peak oil, climate disruption, and financial meltdowns.  Yet the perception remains that this solution is very … >>

Local Dollars, Local Sense

Michael Shuman

Americans’ long-term savings in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, pension funds, and life insurance funds total about $30 trillion. But not even 1 percent of these savings touch local small business—even though roughly … >>

press coverage

Shuman and Local Dollars Local Sense in the Credit Union Times

Michael Shuman  

Post Carbon Fellow Michael Shuman and his book Local Dollars, Local Sense were quoted as an inspiration in this article in the CUTimes. From the article: Carolina Mountains Credit Union, a division of $564 million … >>