More Than Just Commerce seeks to nurture an economically viable local economy and strengthen our community by promoting locally owned and independent businesses. MTJC maintains a special focus and secondary purpose encouraging socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

The MTJC Directory highlights locally owned businesses and encourages community members to voice their values through their purchasing power. Locally owned businesses strengthen our community and quality of life by investing in the local economy, keeping decision making at the local level, and preserving choice and diversity. Locally owned businesses are integral to healthy neighborhoods and vibrant city centers. They are human scale, impose less stress on the environment, and contribute to Santa Cruz's unique character and identity.

Chain stores and large absentee businesses leach money and vitality from the communities that they purport to serve. A study conducted by the Austin Business Association found that a dollar spend at a local store circulates in that community three times more than a dollar spend at a chain. Each time we spend a dollar, we should consider the full impact of our choices, and remember that each dollar is a vote for the future direction of our community.

• Do You Know the Benefits of Buying Local?
• Why Buy Local?
• 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses
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More Than Just Commerce (MTJC) is a program of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union (SCCCU). The SCCCU is a nonprofit financial cooperative that promotes economic justice.

[ Jump to: How It Works | How To Be Involved ]

How It Works

In order to become a MTJC member, businesses must adhere to the More Than Just Commerce Philosophy, giving us (and you) their word that they are locally owned, independent and strive to be socially and environmentally responsible.

MTJC members complete a questionnaire regarding business practices and provide a description of their business. Our questionnaire asks businesses about their recycling and waste management, energy conservation, treatment of employees, and community giving practices. This information is made public in the MTJC Directory. We expect businesses to be honest and fully disclosing. If you think information posted about a business is false, please to contact us. Your feedback helps us create a strong program.

The listing of a business in the MTJC Directory does not indicate endorsement of that business by the SCCCU. Businesses must renew their membership to MTJC annually.

How To Be Involved

Use your dollars to vote for community sustainability. Modest changes in spending choices have a substantial local impact. For every $100 in spending at chain store, the total local economic impact is only $13. Spend the same amount at a local business and your dollars will have more than three times the impact. Support businesses in the MTJC Directory whenever you can. Use the MTJC Directory to find a business offering the products or services you are looking for. If you know of businesses that should be a part of the directory but are not, please encourage them to apply.

If you are a local business owner, remember that by addressing the deeper needs your employees and community you can grow your business in new ways, provide more fulfilling jobs, contribute to a healthier community, and ensure greater economic security for your region. Be sure to use the MTJC Directory to find other local business to meet your supply and service needs.

If you would like to become a MTJC member please apply online or contact us if you would like a printed copy of the application. If you would like to change the information about your business that is posted online, please contact us.