FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2007
Localization Movement Builds as Communities Nationwide Celebrate “Independents Week”
Contact: Jennifer Rockne, Director American Independent Business Alliance 406-582-1255, Jennifer@AMIBA.net
Jeff Milchen, AMIBA co-founder 406-582-1255, Jeff@AMIBA.net
Stacy Mitchell, AMIBA board chair, 207-774-6792
BOZEMAN , MT — July 1-7 marks the fifth annual Independents Week -- a celebration of entrepreneurism coordinated by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Jennifer Rockne, AMIBA’s director said, “It’s a time to recognize the key role played by independent businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit that increasingly is threatened by the growth of global chains.” “The events are an opportunity to reflect on the connection between self-reliance and freedom for both individuals and communities,” added Jeff Milchen, AMIBA’s co-founder.
Communities and businesses across the country have secured municipal and gubernatorial proclamations and are hosting community festivals, local concerts, and other events to mark the occasion. City councilors in many participating communities are engaging in a friendly competitive challenge to do their week’s spending at locally-owned businesses. In Vermont , participants will gather for a rally on the Statehouse lawn. Santa Fe participants will enjoy a community picnic and rides on the Santa Fe Southern Railway.
Public education is at the core of Independents Week. “The impact of where we choose to spend our money ripples through every facet of community,” said Rockne. “Citizens often are shocked to hear the ways government policies favor chains over locally-owned businesses.” The events also help inform government officials, said Rockne. “Few people realize their hometown businesses provide three or more times the economic benefit for the local economy for each sales dollar as chains. Our role is to help them make more informed decisions and realize their own importance in the local economy and democracy.”
“The trend of chains displacing our home town businesses will continue unless communities realize what’s at stake and independent business owners recognize the need to work together. Thankfully, that clearly is happening now with the help of local Independent Business Alliances, proactive community-level policies, and strong trade associations focused on the specific needs of independent businesses,” said Rockne.
AMIBA works to help locally-owned independent businesses compete effectively and reverse the trend of chains displacing them. AMIBA assists concerned citizens to start Independent Business Alliances SM -- coalitions of citizens, independent businesses and community organizations -- engaged in public education, collaborative promotion, and advocacy to ensure a vibrant, diverse local economy.
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 Assn., 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
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
Arizona Chain Reaction, Kimber Lanning, Director 480-835-7131