The magic of the Methow ... ... is in every one of our locally made products By Don Linnertz, Executive Director TwispWorks
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rom lowland prairies to mountain steppes, the Methow Valley is rich in natural resources and breathtaking scenery. With such abundance all around us, it’s no surprise that the valley has become home to hundreds of artists, small manufacturers, craftspeople, farmers and producers whose entrepreneurial spirit creates the backbone of our local
creative economy. In small communities like ours, the concept of shopping local takes on a special meaning. The beeswax candles, hand-milled soaps or blown glass tumblers you purchase at the farmers market were made just around the corner. The freshly roasted coffee beans, artisanal cheeses or handcrafted beers enjoyed at a local restaurant came from a few storefronts down. The heirloom tomatoes, heritage grains or clover honey you find in the grocery store aisle were harvested just over the next hill. When you buy locally made products here it’s “neighbor helping neighbor” at its finest.
Methow Made products can be found throughout the valley at special retail displays. Look for the Methow Made logo to buy local. Photo courtesy of TwispWorks
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The TwispWorks campus is buzzing with activity every Saturday, with open studios from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Come visit! Photo by Mary Kiesau
It’s an investment not just in a business, but in a way of life.
To buy it, you need to find it
Five years ago, TwispWorks created the Methow Made Program. Initially made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Methow Made provides sales, marketing and retail support to local producers and artisans. To qualify, a member must make or grow their product here in the Methow Valley. TwispWorks continues to manage and grow the Methow Made program both in the number of participants in the program and in the benefits available to members. One new opportunity for Methow Made members is the Methow Investment Network. Managed by TwispWorks, the Methow Investment Network connects businesses needing capital to grow with people looking to invest locally. If you are part of a local business and would like to learn more about Methow Made of if you are interested as a potential investor in the Methow Investment Network, please contact Hannah
McIntosh, TwispWorks’ Healthy Economy Program Manager, at hmcintosh@TwispWorks.org.
Made in the Methow
This Made in the Methow special publication is a partnership between TwispWorks and the Methow Valley News and is designed to showcase many of the local business who deserve your support. But buying Methow Made goes beyond supporting a single business or craftsperson. It has an additional, profound affect in that it creates a multiplier effect for your investment boosting the local economy. Your dollars support the retailer selling the product, the producer making the product and the community through tax revenue. It’s a winwin-win. Not to mention that the quality, craftsmanship and value of Methow Made products are stellar. You can find Methow Made products in retail locations throughout the Methow Valley — just look for the Methow Made logo. Or you can visit the Methow Made Facebook page or web site. So shop local. Buy Methow Made!
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• 2017 Made in the Methow •