Visit website: proudpennsylvania.org
Proud Pennsylvania
WHO WE ARE
Proud Pennsylvania is a statewide initiative to unite rural and urban communities around a shared vision for regional economies that will move wealth and power from distant corporations to building local community wealth through the regional production of our basic needs. We are a non-profit with 501c3 status pending.
Our mission is to stimulate the growth of local supply chains producing sustainable food, fuel and fiber with a goal of zero waste, and to educate the public, investors, business leaders, and state and municipal legislators about the critical importance of building resilient, self-reliant regional economies that mitigate carbons, prepare our communities for climate change, increase inclusion and economic justice and bring greater prosperity, health and happiness to both urban and rural communities.
We envision a prosperous network of just and sustainable regional economies comprised of independent, locally-owned farms and businesses that provide self-reliance in basic needs, achieve zero waste, and nurture a robust natural environment we can be proud to leave for future Pennsylvanians.
WHAT WE DO
Organize Local Industry Coalitions Proud Pennsylvania organizes coalitions in emerging industries – hemp, renewable energy, zero waste/recycling and medical and adult use cannabis - that support local production and local ownership. The coalitions work to prevent outside corporations from monopolizing business opportunities by connecting and strengthening locally owned, independent businesses, including farms, processors, distributors and retailers, which bring Pennsylvania made products to market through local supply chains.
The coalitions educate themselves, the general public, the business community, investors, political candidates, and state and city legislators about the latest developments in their industry and the importance of local ownership and regional self-reliance.
The coalitions advocate for state and municipal policies and legislation that support local sustainable production of basic needs such as food, fuel and fiber and that provide opportunities to economically marginalized populations, such as small farmers, former fossil fuel workers, women, entrepreneurs of color and returning citizens, and provide meaningful living wage jobs in both rural and urban communities.
Convene and advice the Proud Pennsylvania Legislative Working Group
We convene and advise the Proud Pennsylvania Legislative Working Group on legislation that supports our mission. Each industry coalition provides information and connections to stakeholders in their area of expertise. The Legislative Working Group is made up of state senators and representatives who have signed a pledge not to take money from the fossil fuel industry, and are committed to moving our state to 100% renewable, including a ban on fracking and to supporting local business ownership and strengthening regional economies.
Proud Pennsylvania advocates for legislation that will:
1. Support the growth of local supply chains and sustainable, self-reliant regional economies comprised of locally owned farms and businesses.
2. Ensure economic opportunity in the emerging industries for former fossil fuel workers, entrepreneurs of color, women, returning citizens, and marginalized rural and urban communities.
3. Decrease the power of corporations, while increasing the power of communities to protect themselves and their eco-systems from industrial pollution and toxins, such as from fossil fuel development, chemical plants, incinerators, industrial farming and pesticide use.
4. Get money out of politics and stop corruption and the unethical influence of the fossil fuel industry in our state government by passing legislation for campaign finance reform and ending legalized bribery.
Educate and unite urban and rural communities Proud Pennsylvania is working to establish relationships with like-minded citizens in counties across Pennsylvania and to collaborate with local groups to hold educational, community building events that unite our rural and urban communities around a shared vision that will increase prosperity and happiness for all. We believe that local self-reliance is the meeting place of the left and the right.
To advance understanding of the importance of building low-carbon, self-reliant regional economies, we publish educational materials, write articles, maintain a website and a social media presence, and do public speaking.
Each of our industry coalitions – hemp, renewable energy, zero waste, and medical and adult use cannabis - organizes educational programs for the general public and provides educational speakers.
Shift Capital Proud Pennsylvania advocates a shift of capital from Wall Street to Main Street, encouraging investments in locally owned businesses that strengthen local supply chains and build regional self-reliance. Working with partner organizations, we connect investors with local businesses. Proud Pennsylvania believes that investing locally provides not only a financial return, but a living return – the benefit of living in a more sustainable, self-reliant, resilient and prosperous community.
Lead a "Revolution of Values" Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr called for a “Revolution of Values” to address materialism, which he considered one of the triple evils, along with racism and militarism. Many in our society value money more than life. Proud Pennsylvania is building a conscious economy where consumers, investors, business owners and politicians make economic decisions, not to maximize profits and material gain, but to maximize the health and well-being of our communities and the eco-systems all life depends upon.