Business Directory Vision

From CFI

GULP—Independent Business Project

The Greater Ukiah Localization Project (“GULP”) is creating a business directory and shopping guide designed specifically to promote independent, locally-owned area businesses. In addition to featuring business listing, the directory will provide educational material about the importance of supporting independent, local business. Moreover, GULP intends to develop an ongoing promotional campaign to support the businesses included in the directory. How Does it Work and What Does it Cost?

A basic listing costs nothing. You merely need to complete questions 1-3 of the GULP survey, which provide the basic information for your listing and confirm that your business is independent and locally-owned. If you do nothing more GULP will provide your business a basic listing and will supply you with a window sticker to advertise your status as a GULP certified “Bronze-Level” independent, local business. If you would like a bold listing, a business card size or larger listing, multiple listings or to include a coupon you will have the option to add those features for a reasonable fee. By completing the entire GULP survey and establishing that your business also strives to support other local businesses, you can earn a higher level of certification from GULP. Specifically, if your business has a policy of using other independent, local business to supply your wholesale inputs or services (e.g., banking and accounting) when possible your business will receive a “Silver-Level” certification and sticker. If you support both local goods and service providers you can earn a “Gold-Level” certification. Finally, if you also have a policy of using environmentally-friendly products when possible, you can become a GULP “Platinum-Level” certified business. By completing the entire survey, you will also help GULP identify business and buyer co-op opportunities in the area.

Why it is Important to Support Local Business (in a Nutshell): Simply choosing to make more of our purchases with an independent, locally-owned business can work wonders to strengthen our community and boost our local economy. Money spent at an independent, locally-owned business tends to circulate in the local area, creating more income for all of us.

How Money Flows When How Money Flows When

  You Shop Locally	  	 You Shop at a Chain Store 

[IMAGES MISSING]

What is GULP?

The Greater Ukiah Localization Project is a volunteer, non profit organization working to strengthen and localize our economy. It has a number of working groups looking at issues such as local business, food production, health, mobility, community outreach and civic action. For more information about GULP, please see: http://www.cloudforest.org/GULP_Greater_Ukiah_Localization_Project. For additional information about the project, please contact scratty@adelphia.net