The business community in Willits is experiencing a renaissance.  New stores, such as Trinity Crafts and JD Redhouse, are offering products and services that Willits residents previously went to Ukiah or Santa Rosa to purchase.  Stores that have been here a long time, such as Willits Power, are offering new product lines that encourage local shopping.  In 2007 Willits increased its Sales Tax revenue even as the motel bed tax declined.  It would seem that the loss in tourist dollars due to the rising cost of gasoline has been more than offset by the increase in local purchasing.

Local First!, a project of the Willits Chamber of Commerce (which was the first Chamber in the U.S. to join B.A.L.L.E.) has taken the lead in localizing the business community.  They have established a definition of a local business and started a very successful campaign to buy local.

Mendo Dollars (formerly Mendo Moola) is a project developing a local currency.  It will be backed by Federal Reserve Notes deposited in local banking institutions.  It is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2008.

The Mendocino County Farmers Markets have recently added a program for 'Chips' that allow customers to purchase a quantity in advance and use them at any vendor.  Several of the local Community Gardens (Brookside Farm and the WISC Garden) are offering 'Chips' in exchange for hours worked to those from lower income brackets.  Willits Action Group, a project of North Coast Opportunities, is in the process of acquiring a Food Stamp Reader to be used at the Farmers Market as well.