About 50 people came together on April 24 at La Tourelle Inn to explore the possibilities for forming a Local Investing Opportunity Network.  A mix of local entrepreneurs and potential investors sat down over food and drinks to get acquainted and learn about our options for creating a stronger local economy by shifting our investments into local businesses.  We were delighted to see the strong interest expressed by attendees.  Thanks to Scott Wiggins of La Tourelle for hosting us, Greg Pitts and Fred Schoeps for presentations on local investing and the mechanics of a LION, Krys Cail for her fun icebreaker, and representatives of EcoVillage, Bandwagon Brew Pub, Swidjit, Black Oak Wind Farm, and Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative for sharing their stories of entrepreneurial leadership.  Thanks to Tompkins Weekly for featuring our first meeting in their Business section on April 30.

Be sure to join us on May 22 at the Finger Lakes Wine Center for our next gathering of the Cayuga LION.

(Pictured: Fred Schoeps of Sustainable Tompkins, Dean Koyanagi of Black Oak Wind Farm, Gay Nicholson of Sustainable Tompkins, Greg Pitts of Natural Investing, Alex Colket of Swidjit, James Jones-Rounds of Ithaca Biodiesel Cooperative.  Photo by Anne Marie Cummings.)