FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2010
Localization Movement Builds as Communities Nationwide Celebrate “Independents Week”
Communities Nationwide Celebrate “Independents Week”
Contact :
Jennifer Rockne, Director American Independent Business Alliance 406-582-1255, Jennifer@AMIBA.net
Stacy Mitchell, Sr. Researcher Institute for Local Self-Reliance & AMIBA board chair, 207-774-6792
BOZEMAN, MT -- One upside of the down economy is the growing trend of communities rallying to support their local independent businesses and rethinking dependence on global corporations. The seventh annual Independents Week, July 1-7, is a celebration of entrepreneurism coordinated by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Local events across the country celebrate the independent businesses providing opportunity for freedom and self-reliance that comprise the backbone of most local economies.
Communities and participating organizations and businesses have secured municipal proclamations and are hosting community festivals, local concerts, promotions 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 local independent businesses. Citizens in Louisville, KY will sample a variety of locally-crafted microbrews as the Louisville Independent Business Alliance’s Brewfest kicks off their celebration. Local First Utah has organized 10 days of educational events and festivities in communities around Utah to celebrate their Independents.
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 Jennifer Rockne, director of the AMIBA. “Citizens often are shocked to learn how many ways government policies favor chains over local independent businesses and of the overwhelming focus put on recruiting businesses to the community from outside.” The events also help inform government officials, said Rockne. “Few elected officials realize their hometown businesses provide three or more times the local economic benefit from each sales dollar as chains. Our role is to help them make more informed decisions.”
AMIBA is a non-profit organization helping communities launch and successfully operate "buy local" campaigns, group purchasing and marketing initiatives, and other efforts to support community-rooted enterprise. Communities create these initiatives through existing organizations or launch new Independent Business Alliances.
Endorsing organizations include:
Institute for Local Self-Reliance – contact Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher 207-774-6792
American Booksellers Association – contact Oren Teicher, CEO 800-637-0037
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association – Contact Kathleen McHugh, Director 312-222-0984
National Main Street Center – contact Doug Loescher, Executive Director 202-588-6241
Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers Association – contact Chris Bates, President 800-542-6672
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