Share Exchange Builds the New Community, the Next Economy

When Kelley Rajala started the Share Exchange 16 months ago, she knew it would provide a relaxed, common space for small business people in Sonoma County, CA to hold meetings and handle office work without the expense of a dedicated office space.

She also viewed it as a local economy center, even a blueprint for a new community.  A place to innovate, share and figure out the way forward.

Today, a visitor can walk into the store front at 5315th St.  in Santa Rosa, and find the colorful Made Local Marketplace; a small business co-working space (where spontaneous creative things happen and work gets done); and classes or workshops on evenings & weekends.

Now, with sponsorship from Community Ventures, The Share Exchange has just launched The Local Economy Institute, to promote the establishment of worker-owned cooperatives in the area north of San Francisco.

Kelley describes the Institute as the non-profit arm of the Share Exchange working on a bridge to the next economy -- the People's Economy, the Relationship Economy, a Holistic, Fair & Just Economy. 

It aims to help communities rebuild strong, vibrant local economies -- particularly small communities or rural geographic regions.

In this 41-minute interview, co-host Daniel Kerbein talks to Kelley Rajala about ciioperatives, time banking, urban farming, Transition towns, and the next economy.

For more information go to

http://www.shareexchange.coop

or call 707-583-7667.

This interview first aired on KBBF-FM 89.1 Calistoga/Santa Rosa.