Business idea winners recognized by Local-First

McCloud, Calif. -

The McCloud Local-First Network community meeting held last Wednesday at Scout Hall was one part business and one part celebration.

During a packed three hour agenda, the organization continued its development, recruited members, and announced the winners of its McCloud Basin Business Idea Contest, a contest intended to promote interesting and innovative small business ideas.
Contest winners were Francis Mangels, who suggested “Bootstrap Gardens,” a McCloud area farmers market; Brian Stewart, whose idea was to develop a small-scale hydroelectric facility; and Dorthea Schoenstein, who advocated sponsoring workshops for artists in McCloud. The winners each received a $100 gift certificate and $100 cash.

Sporting a red feather boa, which she passed on to subsequent speakers bold enough to wear it, steering committee member and event facilitator Nancy Swift detailed the history of the fledgling organization, and outlined its overall objective which, in short, is to promote economic development through a sustainable, small business model.

The McCloud Local First Steering Committee formed last fall to facilitate the development of a “local first” initiative and business alliance based on the BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) network model.

Committee member Brian Stewart spoke of the “local first” movement, which is gaining momentum nationwide, as an alternative that it is “more than just a theory. It’s a way of life.”

Audience members were afforded brief presentations by the various sub-committee members, including Deborah Anderson of the Tourism Sub-Committee, Ron Berryman of the Natural Resources Sub-Committee, April Gray form the “Rails to Trails”

Sub-Committee, Rebecca Chandler from the “Think Local First” Sub-Committee, BB Gamboa, who is developing a local coupon book project, and Stewart from the Alternative and Renewable Energy Sub-Committee. Each gave a short presentation on their area of focus, encouraging interested individuals to join their sub-committees.

Business Idea Contest

The McCloud Basin Business Idea contest was rooted in “encouraging area residents, elected officials, business leaders and others in the community to share and develop business ideas that could create jobs in McCloud.”

Below is a list of the many ideas submitted by contest applicants, with the winners highlighted:

• Francis Mangels – Bootstrap Gardens, mushroom growing festival, folk music festival
• Brian Stewart – Hydroelectric plant, redevelopment enterprise, skiing hut system.
• Dorthea Schoenstein – Art education workshops, relaxation travel packages
• Rebecca Chandler – Garden party, water dispensers in McCloud in order to fund a re-investment fund for local businesses
• Aaron Beverly – Over the hill delivery service
• Robin Singler – Handcrafted, custom made clothing store using local seamstresses
• Mary St. Marie and Meadow Barr – Earth Care Global TV Channel
• Meadow Barr and Tina Ramus – Recycling old train cars for business spaces and art history projects
• Meadow Barr – McCloud Getaways, a full-service event coordination company
• Al Boek – Renewable energy manufacturing/installation/sales enterprise
• Angelina Cook – Wholly waters day spa and forest sanctuary, mycological soil restoration for mill sites
• Paul von Hartmann – McCloud Seed Creamery, producing seed milk and other products
• John Butler – Full-service vacation packages to McCloud
• Ruth Peddinghaus – McCloud water and light Park, featuring educational displays and activities day and night
• Kerry Topel – Regional marketplace and community Center.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the McCloud Local First Network as either a locally owned business, a non-profit that supports the goals of the organization or an individual who supports the goals of the organization is encouraged to call 530-859-5833 for more information.