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8/10 -- In her Bloomberg Businessweek commentary, Stacy Mitchell exposes how the US Chamber of Commerce and NFIB misrepresent small business.
8/10 -- The Sept./Oct. issue of AARP's magazine (with the world's largest circulation) taps Stacy Mitchell to talk about why local should matter to the growing 50+ crowd.
8/10 -- Neighborhood commercial revitalization succeeds in St. Paul because of local independent businesses.
7/10 -- Many more of New Mexico's small businesses now can provide employee health care with tax credit boost. Health care reform benefits New Mexico's economy, writes the Santa Fe Alliance's Vicki Pozzebon
For third year running, A 2010 survey of over 1800 independent businesses in the US and Canada by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance indicates those in communities with active "buy local" campaigns fared far better than other businesses. See press release |
AMIBA welcomes our newest affiliates:
Shop Local Milledgeville
Milledgeville, GA
Heights IBA
Cleveland Heights, OH
Buy Local Blue Ridge
Ruckersville, VA
Downtown Chestertown Assn.
Chestertown, MD
We Are Athens
Athens, GA
Local First of
Greater Pocatello
Pocatello, ID
Independent Business Alliances in the News:
Summit IBA (CO): Lowe's study says local independents will feel minimal impact from new store, but the independents and the IBA don't buy it. (7/10)
Stay Local! (New Orleans):
SL and parent org. Urban Conservancy work to preserve NOLA's local independents in unique circumstances. (7/10 audio)
ShoLo (South Bend, IN): Independents Week another reason for hope for South Bend local independents.
MetroIBA (Mpls/St. Paul)): Celebrating independents all month long
Blackstone Valley IBA (RI): Indie Week highlights local independents in Woonsocket area (7/10)
Austin IBA (TX): IBA and Independents Week a necessary antidote to continued economic woes (7/10)
Fayetteville IBA (AR): Indie Week is planned for Fayetteville (7/10)
COLORS (Columbia, MO): Local and State proclamations underscore Independents Week (7/10)
Heights IBA (Cleveland Hgts., OH): New Heights IBA debuting with Independents Week activity. (7/10)
See our current intern needs here!
Independent America: Rising from Ruins now is available to stream online for free via HRH Media and Snagfilms. Thanks to Snagfilms for promoting the work of AMIBA and our New Orleans affiliate, Stay Local!
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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; concrete data demonstrate 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.
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Free Public Education Tools from AMIBA!
If your community is ramping up a "Buy Indie/Buy Local" campaign in 2010, the American Independent Business Alliance can help. See our newest free educational posters / fliers to download and print! We also are giving away our popular bag stuffer template (pictured below) here.
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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
