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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Aug 5, 2004

Wal-Mart Captures More than $1 Billion in Subsidies

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/walmart-captures-more-1-billion-subsidies/

A new study documents more than $1 billion in state and local development subsidies that have flowed to Wal-Mart, and that figure likely represents only the tip of the iceberg. "Shopping for Subsidies: How Wal-Mart Uses Taxpayer Money to Finance Its Never-Ending Growth," produced by Good Jobs First, a Washington, D.C.-based research organization, identifies 244 Wal-Mart stores and distribution centers in 35 states that have received subsidies totaling just over $1 billion. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 3, 2004

Bennington, Vermont, Adopts Store Size Cap

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/bennington-vermont-adopts-store-size-cap/

The city of Bennington, Vermont, has enacted a store size cap ordinance that effectively puts an end to attempts by Wal-Mart to build a giant supercenter. "The concern has been that if a single retailer becomes too large and too powerful it destroys all competition in the marketplace. And we want to avoid that," said Bennington planning director Dan Monks. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 2, 2004

Vancouver Weighs Big-Box Limits

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/vancouver-weighs-bigbox-limits/

The city of Vancouver, Canada, has banned big-box stores in one neighborhood and is studying the possibility of a citywide store size cap . Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 26, 2004

Independents Week Celebrated Nationwide

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independents-week-celebrated-nationwide/

During the week of July 4th, thousands of independent businesses in a dozen cities around the country celebrated Independents Week—seven days of educational and promotional events designed to draw attention to the importance of supporting locally owned businesses. "The trend of chains displacing our hometown businesses will continue unless communities realize what’s at stake," said Jennifer Rockne, director of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), which organized Independents Week. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2004

Celebrating Independents: America’s Independent Businesses Have Reasons for Optimism

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/celebrating-independents-americas-independent-businesses-have-reasons-optimism/

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, thousands of small businesses, led by the new and fast-growing American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), are drawing attention to the importance of small-scale, local enterprise in guarding against economic tyranny. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2004

Community-Owned Stores Provide Alternative to Chains

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/communityowned-stores-provide-alternative-chains/

RKG concluded that Middlebury consumers are spending nearly $7 million elsewhere each year and recommended that the city stem the leakage by enticing Wal-Mart to build a supercenter. But many Middlebury residents refuse to accept the inevitability of the low-wage retailing giant. They have their own ideas about solving Middlebury’s dilemma. They want to open a community-owned department store in the center of town. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2004

Corvallis Business Alliance Urges Residents to Shop Locally

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/corvallis-business-alliance-urges-residents-shop-locally/

Three years ago, after learning that Borders Books & Music planned to open an outlet in Corvallis, Oregon, Jack Wolcott, who has owned a local bookstore, Grass Roots Books & Music, for more than thirty years, contacted Bob Baird of The Book Bin and several other local business owners whose stores were likely to be affected by the chain. They began meeting, at first discussing a possible legal challenge to Borders and ultimately deciding instead to organize local businesses and launch a public education effort. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Apr 1, 2004

Report Finds Wal-Mart’s Low Wages Cost Taxpayers Millions

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-finds-walmarts-low-wages-cost-taxpayers-millions/

Taxpayers are picking up the tab for Wal-Mart’s low wages and meager benefits, according to a new congressional report. Prepared by the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and released by Rep. George Miller in February, the report concludes that the federal government is providing an average of $2,100 annually in public assistance per Wal-Mart employee. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2004

San Francisco Subjects Formula Chains to Added Scrutiny

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/san-francisco-subjects-formula-chains-added-scrutiny/

Under a city law adopted in March, chains seeking to locate in San Francisco could be required to undergo a public hearing and meet certain conditions before being granted a permit to open. Sponsored by Supervisor Matt Gonzalez, the ordinance passed on an 8-3 vote by the Board of Supervisors. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 1, 2004

Surprise Defeat for Wal-Mart in Inglewood

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/surprise-defeat-walmart-inglewood/

In a stunning upset that made headlines around the globe, voters in Inglewood, California, overwhelmingly defeated a ballot measure on April 6 that would have opened the way for a massive Wal-Mart supercenter. The final tally was 7,049 against and 4,575 in favor. The unprecedented measure would have given Wal-Mart complete control over a 60-acre site, allowing it to bypass the public process and build a supercenter and other chain retail stores without any of the normal environmental, traffic, or zoning reviews. Continue reading