2) Our membership criteria are based on ownership and the authority to make local decisions on purchasing and marketing. We base this on many research studies as well as the experience of over 80 local business networks involved with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). We require our members to have: A) Local ownership of 50% or more B) Local headquarters C) Purchasing authority (the products you stock; the services you buy; and decision-making over marketing.)