Because Community Matters.

Think of your favorite shop, restaurant, farm or service provider. We'll bet it's a homegrown business. Independent locally-owned businesses are essential to a vital local economy and community character. They're where the locals go. They're owned by our friends and neighbors, or maybe even by you. Community-serving businesses are the backbone of local economies, civic life, local charities, and wealth creation for millions of citizens, as well as a training ground for future generations of entrepreneurs.

Problem: Today, independent businesses face unprecedented competition from larger chain competitors, internet merchants and franchises that enjoy national or international branding power and major economies of scale. As a result, community-based businesses comprise a smaller portion of our economy than ever before. We’ll lose much more than places to shop, dine or do business if we allow current trends to continue.

A Proven Solution: Many cities and towns have discovered a model, pioneered by the staff of the American Independent Business Alliance, to counter these trends successfully and help local entrepreneurs thrive. More than 80 communities in North America now boast Independent Business Alliances* to unite independent businesses across all sectors, along with concerned citizens to build vibrant, durable local economies.

AMIBA can help you use our models to implement an effective buy local campaign or IBA, pass pro-local policies, and more. There truly is strength in numbers. Learn more about benefits of AMIBA affiliation or the three realms of IBA work. You'll love what an IBA can do for your  business or community!

The American Independent Business Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Learn more. *Independent Business Alliance is a registered mark of the AMIBA and is reserved for exclusive use by AMIBA's affiliates.