Download Berkshire-Columbia Investment Network

BERKSHIRE-COLUMBIA INVESTMENT NETWORK: A LION INITIATIVE
Initiative Group : Peter Buckbee, Maia Conti, Rich Lumma, Christopher Schaefer, and Robin Zeamer
Purpose : To create a local investment opportunity network in order to facilitate relationships between
investors and borrowers as a way of strengthening the economic viability and sustainability of the region
and in order to foster a more vibrant sense of community.
Rationale : Investors increasingly distrust Wall Street and the large banks and wish to both support local
businesses and institutions as well as to know where their money is going. At the same time they wish to
get a reasonable return on their money. Borrowers and entrepreneurs often cannot get the financing
they need at a reasonable cost from local banks and credit institutions and appreciate the interest and
support of local investors and lenders. The BERSHIRE-COLUMBIA INVESTMENT NETWORK will be a
membership association of individuals concerned about the health of the local economy and society,
and is based on the successful experience of Local Investment Opportunity Networks, (LION), in Port
Townsend, WA. Ithica, NY. and other communities.
Legal Form : A membership Association which facilitates the meeting between investors and borrowers.
Investment decisions and legal relationships between investors and borrowers are the responsibility of
individuals, not of the association. The association may recommend groups and institutions who have
experience in both crafting legal agreements and servicing the loans. Such groups will not be formal part
of the association.
Membership : Membership is open to anyone sharing the aims of the Berkshire-Taconic Investment
Network and able to invest at least $5000. in local ventures.
Activities: The basic activity of the association is to have periodic meetings in which investors and
borrowers meet. Those needing investment support present their projects after having filled out an
application with an enclosed business plan. The association will ask the Small Business Development
Centers in Albany and Pittsfield to review applications prior to presentation in their particular state and
region. The association may also stimulate the creation of an advisory group of retired business people
to provide support for individuals and institutions seeking financial support from Association members.
Upon receiving support borrowers would join the association as members at a nominal fee.
Viability : The LION’s model has been worked with successfully since 2007 in a variety of community
settings and has developed appropriate legal forms. The oldest LION venture is in Port Townsend,
Washington, a community not dissimilar to this area. It and similar initiatives can be accessed on the
web.
The BERKSHIRE-COLUMBIA INVESTMENT NETWORK will begin exploratory meetings in June of 2013,
both in the Berkshires and in Columbia County. For more information please contact Rich Lumma at
[email protected]; 518-392-2012, Robin Zeamer at [email protected]; 413-528-7995, or
Christopher Schaefer at [email protected], 413-528-2319 or Peter Buckbee at
[email protected] or Maia Conti at [email protected]. Please feel free to contact any of us for
more information.