FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2006
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“Independents Week”
Contact: Jennifer Rockne, Director, American Independent Business Alliance 406-582-1255, Jennifer"at"AMIBA.net
Jeff Milchen, AMIBA co-founder 406-582-1255, Jeff"at"AMIBA.net
BOZEMAN , MT — Increasing numbers of controversial community “big box” battles may get more headlines, but rapidly growing and far more hopeful is the trend of creative new ideas and alliances at the community level to help independent businesses fight corporate chains and win.
Independents Week, an annual celebration of these efforts and the essential role of independent, locally-owned businesses in America , shines the spotlight on this work July 1-7. Independent businesses and communities around the country are organizing Independents Week activities to bring citizens, independent businesses and local officials together. They are joined by an array of independent trade groups and non-profit organizations that work to ensure continued opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Mayoral and gubernatorial proclamations, community festivals and activities, games, drawings and prizes are part of numerous local celebrations. City councilors in many participating communities have been issued a friendly competitive challenge to do their week’s spending at locally-owned businesses. Albuquerque ’s winning council member will receive a xeriscape garden donated by four businesses.
“America ’s hometown businesses can compete successfully with the chains if they work together and build their collective power at the community level,” states Jennifer Rockne, director of the American Independent Business Alliance, coordinator of Independents Week.
The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), founded in 2001, has helped two dozen communities start local Independent Business Alliances, which work to strengthen and sustain community-based businesses while preventing chains from driving out locals.
These Alliances already are making a big impact, said Rockne, having stopped subsidies to corporate chains, organizing group purchasing initiatives, and helping citizens in each community recognize the benefits of doing business locally. Independents Week is a time to unify the message of these dispersed efforts.
“It’s a celebration of the vital social, cultural and economic role these businesses play in our communities and the stake each citizen has in shaping their home town’s future. Where people choose to spend their money affects the community immensely. It’s much more than merely a personal spending decision,” said Rockne.
“We’ve seen the trend of chains displacing our home town businesses can be stopped when communities realize what’s at stake. Community-level policies, and strong trade associations focused on the specific needs of independent businesses are fomenting a rapidly growing movement to reclaim community” said AMIBA co-founder Jeff Milchen.
“Community economic development often is mistakenly approached as bringing outside corporations into town instead of strengthening from within,” said Milchen. “Multiple studies indicate home town business generates at least three times the local economic return as chains. It makes sense for communities to support their own.”
A list of some participating communities and local contact information: http://amiba.net/contacts2.php
Partner organizations:
The New Rules Project , Stacy Mitchell, Sr. Researcher, 207-774-6792
The American Booksellers Association, Oren Teicher, C.O.O., 914 591-2665, ext. 1267
American Specialty Toy Retailing Assn., Kathleen McHugh, Exec. Director, 847-375-4842
Council of Independent Restaurants of America, Don Luria, President, 520-577-8181
Association of Retail Travel Agents, John Hawks, President, 859-269-9739
National Grocers Association, Greg Ferrara, 703-516-8831
National Main Streets Center, Doug Loescher, Director, 202-588-6000
Association of Enterprise Opportunity, Katie Igrec-Lima, 703-841-7760 x 38
Coalition of Independent Music Stores, Don Van Cleave, 205-879-9023, x201