October 2012
 Multiple New Studies Reinforce the Economic Power of "Going Local"Las Vegas First, Local First Utah, Shop Local Raleigh and the Louisville IBA are among the local groups that commissioned studies by Civic Economics this year in partnership with the American Booksellers Association. The full results are in, both reinforcing and adding useful new detail to the body of research making the case for choosing local and independent. Averaged across the 10 communities in the retail studies, spending at indie retailers generates 3.7 times more direct local economic benefit than spending at chains. Additionally, five of the studies evaluated restaurant spending and found indie restaurants generated an average of 2.15 times more direct local economic return Read the full story and see detailed graphs. |
News Briefs and New Resources
The State of Massachusetts estimates shifting $278 million in public funds to local banks led to 2,500 new small business loans. Why did their move make such a difference? While small & midsized banks hold 21% of bank assets, they provide 54% of small business loans.
Have an idea for an ad, poster or other item you'd like to see turned into reality? Tell us! If we like it enough to design, we'll provide you a customized version at no cost. Also see our existing holiday ad template and recently-added website/email "ads" based on our popular poster series -- all free!
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Bumper Stickers Redesigned and Back in Stock!
When we sold out of our popular "Put Your Money Where Your House Is!" stickers, we tapped the "group wisdom" of our social media fans to improve on the original and produced a more visually compelling version (big thanks to those who voted!). We know these will sell fast, so get 'em now and watch the pro-indie message travel through your community! (Free to affiliates--contact us for details.) We also added five stickers to the "Action Pack," making it an even greater value. |
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 Action from AMIBA AffiliatesAsheville Grown’s (NC) Go Local Card, a loyalty program for indie businesses that also raises funds for schools through partnership with the Asheville City Schools Foundation, engaged 120 member businesses in its first year and raised more than $10,000. Participation has doubled to start year two, and the indie weekly Mountain Express is distributing 40,000 copies of the card program directory. Holiday Promo Idea from the Twin Cities Food Mob |
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 Underwriting Available for 2013 Presentations and TrainingsAfter a busy schedule of events for groups coast to coast this fall, we'll wind down with presentations and workshops for Summit IBA in Colorado Nov. 13, Flagstaff IBA in Arizona November 14 and the Louisiana Smart Growth Summit Nov 26-28. Thanks to continued underwriting from American Express OPEN, more communities than ever (and that's a lot) will be able to host an AMIBA presentation or training to help local independents thrive in the first four months of 2013. Please inquire now if you'd like information on available dates from January - May 2013, as dates and sponsorship funding are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Give your campaign or local alliance a big boost while this opportunity lasts!
Please contact us for bulk quantities to distribute at events or to others in your community (free to affiliates, at-cost for others). |
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Welcome New Members of the AMIBA Team! |
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New Affiliates New Business Members (We recently created memberships for individual businesses. See the other initial business members and AMIBA supporters). |
 And AMIBA's Newest Board Member |
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Get Ready for Shift Your Shopping and Small Business SaturdayShift Your Shopping 2012 Launches November 3 Small Business Saturday is a great complement to season-long campaigns, providing a toolkit of materials, huge media presence and direct incentives for shoppers to "shop small" at your local businesses on November 24. See the SBS Facebook page to learn more and get updates. Also, don't miss Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 10! Rather than run simultaneously with so many strong holiday-themed campaigns, we decided not to promote America/Canada Unchained nationally this season, but you still are welcome to use the free tools we've developed while we decide whether/when to schedule an Unchained! event in 2013. Please contact us if you have ideas to share. |
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Stay Informed Throughout the Month |