BUSINESS COMMUNITIES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALITY

In this paper, the author analyzes the results of an empirical study carried out in two Latvian towns (Valmiera and Cesis). In the course of March and February of 2008, three semi-structured interviews were conducted with the representatives of non-governmental organizations which lobby business interests in these towns and a discussion was organized with eight board members of Cesis' Entrepreneurs Club. The author examines the views and ideas of the interviewees and discussants on the development of their hometowns, and also looks at the interactions among business communities, respective town councils and other stakeholders. Finally, he argues that although localities (villages, towns, cities, regions) are becoming more and more alike thanks to the introduction of various technologies, the expansion of markets, (sub)urbanization, the spread of ideas and the adoption of uniform lifestyles, 'locality' with its specificity, prevalent structures, dominant ideas and practices still has a considerable effect on the outlooks and actions of people residing there.