E2M.org Public Forum: Creating a New Economic Community for Western MA
Imagine an economy with communities more powerful than corporations and people more valued than profits. E2M.org, an Easthampton-based non-profit organization, has spent the last four years transforming its founder’s initial concept into a real-life economic infrastructure that is now positioned to take a major step toward this new economic vision in Western Massachusetts.
E2M—An Economic Model for Millennium 2000—calls for the creation of unique for-profit business entities, known as ‘E2M certified businesses,’ which include the employees and the community as shareholders. “By simply purchasing goods and services from E2M certified businesses, consumers can guarantee that these businesses will grow and provide a significant and steady flow of wealth to their communities,” says Michael Garjian, a commercial entrepreneur turned social entrepreneur and founder of E2M.org.
“Community wealth generated by consumer purchases from E2M certified businesses would provide very low-interest personal and business loans or mortgages, friendly investment capital for new E2M certified enterprises, funds for children and youth, affordable housing, community-owned land trusts, and other social and educational programs that would enhance the community’s quality of life,” he added.”
E2M.org enjoys the support of area elected officials, college administrators, educators, entrepreneurs, non-profit groups, and others on a local and national level. The UMass Student Government Association representing 18,000 undergraduate students embraced E2M and is now evaluating several E2M on-campus initiatives. “At a time of decreasing confidence in the ability of the US economy to provide long-term well being and opportunities for all people, the E2M model provides real solutions and hope,” stated David Bisson, E2M board member and UMass campus organizer.
E2M.org is preparing to launch a campaign to bring more new and existing regional businesses into the E2M Economic Community of Western MA and to raise the general public’s awareness of E2M.
To learn more about this refreshing new economic initiative, plan to attend the E2M forum at UMass to be held on Wednesday, December 8 from 4-5:30pm in room W-24 of Machmer Hall, located next to the parking garage and across from the Student Union. All are welcome to attend. For more information about E2M, visit www.e2m.org.