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11/24/2009 -- Who wants to read another rehash about Black Friday at MegaMart? The real story is at local independents. Read AMIBA's press release
11/13/09 -- Business Week
Shop Local: Authenticity as a Key Holiday Promotion
Local Independent business' assets of place, community and connection are worth flaunting.
AMIBA defends small businesses and communities against threat of large corporations dominating elections. Read our news release on the oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court.
9/22/2009 Economic Impact study in New Orleans demonstrates importance of local independent businesses to NOLA's economy -- and adds to the growing body of research
AMIBA welcomes our newest affiliates:
Sonoma County Go Local Cooperative
Sonoma County, CA
Mariposa County IBA
Mariposa County, CA
Buy Local
Downtown Great Falls
Great Falls, MT
Buy Local Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Main Street Stillwater IBA
Stillwater, MN
Smyrna Independent Merchants Assn.
Smyrna, TN
Local First Lexington
Lexington, KY
Independent Business Alliances in the News:
Louisville IBA (KY): Shopping local for the holidays could reap someone a nice bonus (with video) (11/09)
Austin IBA (TX): 'Tis the season to buy local...and inject millions into the local economy (11/09)
Summit IBA (Summit County, CO): Summit Unchained kicks into gear for holiday (11/09)
Lakeshore IBA (Holland area, MI):
Lakeshore IBA
embraces America Unchained (11/2009)
Stay Local! (New Orleans):
Who Pays for "Tax-Free" Online Retail? Opinion piece by director Dana Eness (10/2009)
If your community is ramping up a "Buy Indie/Buy Local" campaign for the holidays, the American Independent Business Alliance can help. We’re giving away the template for our popular series of bag stuffers.
Get the details and download files here.
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Think of your favorite shop, restaurant or service provider. We'll bet it's a home town business. Independent locally-owned businesses are essential to a vital local economy and community character. They use the goods and services of other local businesses, serve as community hubs, and are vital components of healthy neighborhoods and strong city centers. They're where the locals go. They're owned by our friends and neighbors, or maybe even by you.
The threat to our communities is real. Dependence on absentee-owned businesses and corporate chains carries many unhealthy consequences. It's not just local businesses who suffer -- our communities are losing social, cultural and economic strength, a place for entrepreneurship, and the ability to determine our own futures. But we have a choice.
AMIBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities and independent business thrive. Our proven organizing models and assistance can help prevent the displacement of local independent businesses, ensure ongoing opportunities for entrepreneurs, and advance citizen engagement in community social, cultural and economic well being. The evidence of success isn't just anecdotal; nationwide surveys in 2008 and 2009 have demonstrated the power of these local Alliances.
We can help you design and implement an effective "Buy Independent / Buy Local" campaign, an Independent Business Alliance®, pro-local policies, and more.
See the benefits of AMIBA affiliation or inquire about our support for individual initiatives.
Read The Benefits of Doing Business Locally (pdf) for more on the importance of independent, local ownership.
Pictured example: back side of one of eight bag stuffers to promote local business
(your group's name and logo can appear in place of ASTRA)
Whether you aim to launch an IBA promptly or get your community talking about the issues, AMIBA's presentations and workshops will give you a big boost! More than 90% of our community presentations help spark new Alliances. They also generate media attention, community support and new members for your group. Our presentations for trade shows and conferences have led both to many new local efforts and national campaigns by existing organizations. Learn more or view upcoming events.
| What They're Saying... |
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“The bottom line is that people are beginning to realize the importance of shopping locally, and how that helps keep your dollars close to home…it employs your neighbors, your friends, and it bonds the community by keeping us on the same team.” Jeff Boyd |
It's our vision for a start to leveling the playing field for locally-owned independent business. We invite organizations, local, state, and national legislators, and government officers to endorse this platform, developed by AMIBA and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Better yet -- implement it! View the Platform for Independent Business
