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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 28, 2005

Local Costume Shops Battle Temporary Halloween Superstores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-costume-shops-battle-temporary-halloween-superstores/

The vast multitudes of empty big-box stores, darkened malls, and vacant strip shopping centers that now litter the American landscape are being commandeered by a growing number of temporary Halloween superstores. "We call them 30-day wonders," said Debbie Lyn Owens, who owns a costume shop in Sunnyvale, California, and heads the National Costumers Association (NCA), which represents 600 locally owned costume stores. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Oct 27, 2005

Maine Villages Fight Wal-Mart Invasion

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/maine-villages-fight-walmart-invasion/

Wal-Mart is increasingly looking to build giant stores in small New England villages. Residents are fighting back. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 19, 2005

Washington Town Limits ‘Formula’ Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/washington-town-limits-formula-businesses/

On a 4-2 vote, the City Council in Port Townsend, a community of about 8,500 people on the northwest coast of Washington state, approved an ordinance that restricts the proliferation of formula retail stores and restaurants. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 18, 2005

Mayors Endorse Expansion of Distributed Generation Technologies

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/mayors-endorse-expansion-distributed-generation-technologies/

A policy resolution was passed at the recent U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting supporting and encouraging the use of distributed generation as a way to supply cities and their citizens with more resilient, reliable and affordable energy supplies.

Full Text of the Resolution:

DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND DECENTRALIZED ENERGY CREATION/DISTRIBUTION

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 11, 2005

Funds Launched to Aid the Gulf’s Independent Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/funds-launched-aid-gulfs-independent-businesses/

Local business owners across the country are coming to the aid of their counterparts in the Gulf Coast by establishing funds to provide direct assistance to independent businesses affected by the hurricanes. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 10, 2005

Increased Municipal Utility Formation the Goal of Legislation in Massachusetts

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/increased-municipal-utility-formation-goal-legislation-massachusetts/

In an effort to clarify and strengthen state law, lawmakers in Massachusetts have introduced legislation to enhance the ability of communities to acquire electric distribution equipment from investor-owned utilities in order to form municipally-owned electric companies.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 10, 2005

Community Saves Independent Bookstore

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-saves-independent-bookstore/

Just one month after its abrupt closing, Kepler’s Books and Magazines in Menlo Park, California, has reopened thanks to an outpouring of support from the community. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 6, 2005

First City-wide Broadband Over Powerline (BPL) System Brought Online By Muni-Owned Utility in Manassas, VA

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/first-citywide-broadband-over-powerline-bpl-system-brought-online-muniowned-utility-manassas-va/

After four years of study and pilot projects, the city of Manassas, Virginia, has become the first city in the country to fully deploy a BPL system throughout their city. The system is jointly operated by the city-owned electric utility and Commercial Technologies, Inc. [COMTek]. The city is providing the infrastructure for the BPL system and COMTek is providing the internet services.

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Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 4, 2005

George vs. Jimmy on Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/george-vs-jimmy-energy/

The image of George W. Bush asking Americans to save oil by driving less brings to mind another image, that of Jimmy Carter wearing a cardigan sweater and asking Americans to save oil by turning down our thermostats. This column by my colleague David Morris encourages readers to understand the similarities and the differences of the two approaches.

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Article filed under Banking, Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 4, 2005

Cal. City Uses Reserve Funds to Spur Local Business Development

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/cal-city-uses-reserve-funds-spur-local-business-development/

In an effort to create more capital for local business loans and community development, the city of Santa Cruz, California, has shifted nearly $600,000 in city funds from U.S. treasuries and other securities to two locally owned financial institutions. Santa Cruz City Councilor Ryan Coonerty proposed the idea, which he says will bolster the local economy by keeping the city’s financial resources working locally. Continue reading