REGION — “If all politics is local,” Financial Times global business columnist Rana Foroohar wrote recently, “the same could soon be true for economics.”

Her piece, published in Foreign Affairs, looked at how the U.S. economy has changed over the last 30 years, and she considers how to create a more localized economy that offers opportunity for all.

Businesses can produce goods for local consumption. Small farms can feed us. Technologies like 3D printing mean small-scale industry, close to home.

It’s better for the environment, and it could mean more jobs and possibilities—better futures—where we live.

The River Reporter’s Holiday Gift Guide, included with this issue of the paper, looks at local small businesses and makers, at people who have already embraced this change and are creating a hyper-localized economy that could help sustain us.

The businesses here in this story, and those in the Gift Guide, are just a few examples of our artisans and small businesses. Read on, learn how the business owners describe their work and missions. Get to know what they, our neighbors, are doing, and the amazing items they make and offer for sale.

If you are doing something similar, tell us! Email copyeditor@riverreporter.com.

Forthright and excellent

According to the owners of Forthright Cydery and Mead in Youngsville, NY, “to be forthright means to be direct and honest, straightforward and outspoken.”

That’s the principle they follow, the owners said. The business calls itself “a nano-cydery with big dreams and big ideas.” Its  specialty is cyser, a hybrid of hard cider and mead (honey-wine).

Luckily for them, the owners wrote on their website, New York State has some of the best apples and honey in the world. “We love bold, delicious flavors and exciting, locally sourced ingredients.”

The Forthright Cydery and Mead website includes information about mead and hard cider, a list of their current products and more. Visit forthrightcyder.com.

Crimson Amaro is the latest offering in the Pollinator Spirits portfolio.

The spirit of the season

Catskill Provisions is a food provisions and alcohol spirit company started by Claire Marin in Sullivan County, NY in 2010.  

What began as a beekeeping hobby blossomed into a commercial honey business. This later included provisioning maple syrup from nearby farmers.

In 2013, Marin created New York Honey Rye whiskey, which is infused with her honey.  After winning numerous awards and securing good market traction, she began distilling on her own, and has created a range of alcohol products besides the Honey Rye. All are made with New York State-grown ingredients and grains.

Marin’s line of spirits, now called Pollinator Spirits, includes Crimson Amaro as the newest bottle to the portfolio. Woman and LGBTQIA owned, Pollinator Spirits products are hand-packaged. The brand does not use artificial flavors or colors, uses non-GMO grains, and takes part in sustainable practices.

Marin donates spent grains to local farmers and gives a portion of the proceeds to pollinator causes annually.

Soon, 100 percent of the spirits will be distilled in Long Eddy, NY.

The Pollinator Spirits line is available to purchase nationwide at Reserve Bar. Learn more at www.catskillprovisions.com.

Contributed by Catskill Provisions.

Hands down, the best German food

Gretchen Eifert of  the Alpine Wurst and Meat House in Honesdale, PA, says that in 1977, her father-in-law, Klaus Eifert, started the family business. He was born in Germany and brought his traditions here.

Klaus and his wife, Ingrid, built the Alpine to what it is now. Mark and Gretchen Eifert run it now, and try to keep things the same, Gretchen said. “We did build up the wholesale end of the business, and are in nearly 350 grocery stores, high-end delis and breweries. We are proud to say that more and more places use our bratwursts in their own Oktoberfests every fall.”

Mark worked alongside his father and apprenticed in Germany to learn the sausage trade. He now makes 90 varieties of German sausage, wurst, frankfurters and cold cuts.

Although the restaurant is still closed, the store is open, and you can get all your European-grocery needs, including kassler rippchen, Gretchen Eifert said. Alpine products are also for sale locally at Pecks Markets, Weis and Wegmans.

The wholesale business markets its line of homemade sausages, frankfurters, kielbasa and more—or perhaps you are in need of authentic German fare for your restaurant.

Learn more at thealpineonline.com.

Your local library

It’s not just a place to borrow books or media. Our public libraries often have book sales, and those sales provide a needed boost to library funds. Sometimes the sales are the only way for a library to bring in money.

Libraries also host programs where you can meet interesting people and learn a new craft or about a potential hobby. And libraries have internet, for those who need access.

In Wayne County, PA, check out the members of the Wayne Library Alliance, waynelibraries.org, or the Manchester Community Library in Equinunk, manchestercommunitylibrary.org.

In Pike County, PA, visit the Pike County Public Library at pikecountypubliclibrary.com.

And in Sullivan County, NY, start with the Ramapo Catskill Library System, rcls.org.