Community Futures Lac La Biche (CFLLB) is proud to announce the implementation of a new Shop Local Policy, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local business, local employment, and long-term community prosperity.
The policy is designed to reduce economic leakage and ensure that more dollars spent by the organization continue to circulate within the Lac La Biche region—supporting local businesses, strengthening jobs, contributing to local event sponsorships, and building a more resilient economy overall.
Turning Spending Into Local Impact
At its core, the policy recognizes that where organizations spend their money directly impacts the strength of the community.
Local purchasing creates a ripple effect. Research shows that every dollar spent locally can generate significantly more economic activity as it recirculates through local businesses, employees, and services—supporting jobs, strengthening supply chains, and driving further investment across the region.
At the same time, CFLLB acknowledges the realities of operating in a rural market. Factors such as transportation costs, smaller customer bases, and limited economies of scale often mean local businesses face higher operating costs than their urban counterparts.
This policy balances both realities—ensuring local purchasing is prioritized whenever possible, while maintaining transparency, fiscal responsibility, and value for money.
What This Means for Lac La Biche
For Community Futures Lac La Biche, this means stronger local partnerships and greater community impact per dollar spent.
For the community, it means more local jobs supported, stronger services, and increased reinvestment into local initiatives—including events and community development efforts.
For local businesses, it creates more opportunities to bid on work, grow capacity, and build long-term relationships within the region.
“Every dollar we spend locally has a ripple effect—supporting local businesses, local employment, and local prosperity.”
— Allan Robertson, Board Chair“This policy is about making sure our spending reflects our mission: building a stronger, more resilient Lac La Biche region.”
— Peter Mahowich, General Manager
Leading by Example
As Doug Stewart describes through the “dog sled philosophy,” “if you’re not the leader, the view doesn’t change.” This policy reflects CFLLB’s commitment to leading by example and demonstrating how organizational decisions can shape economic outcomes.
Community Futures Lac La Biche encourages organizations, businesses, and institutions across the region to consider how their purchasing decisions can support local business, strengthen employment, and contribute to long-term community prosperity.
Download a Shop Local Policy Template
Interested in taking a similar approach?
Community Futures Lac La Biche has developed a flexible Shop Local Policy template to help organizations integrate local purchasing into their operations in a way that is practical and adaptable.
This template is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is designed as a starting point—allowing organizations to tailor their approach based on their size, structure, and operational needs.
Inside the template, you’ll find:
- A clear policy framework you can adapt to your organization
- Practical purchasing guidelines that balance cost, quality, and community impact
- Guidance on defining “local” in a way that fits your region
- Tools to support transparency, flexibility, and real-world application
Whether you’re just starting to explore a Shop Local approach or looking to formalize your existing practices, this resource is designed to make the process more accessible.
Download the Shop Local Policy Template
