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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on May 22, 2009

Wal-Mart’s Faulty Impact Report Leads California Judge to Block Project

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/walmarts-faulty-impact-report-leads-california-judge-block-project/

A coalition of environmental and community groups are celebrating a recent San Bernardino County Superior Court judge’s decision that invalidates Wal-Mart’s environmental impact report (EIR), preventing a supercenter from locating in their community. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 20, 2009

South Dakota Town Creates Community-Owned Variety Store

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/south-dakota-town-creates-communityowned-variety-store/

When small town in Clark lost its last variety store, they had a choice: drive 40 minutes to a nearby town for basic supplies or pull together and jointly create a new, community-owned store. They pulled together. Continue reading

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Article filed under Banking, Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 7 Comments | Updated on May 5, 2009

Soaring Credit Card Transaction Fees Squeeze Independent Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/soaring-credit-card-transaction-fees-squeeze-independent-businesses/

Independent businesses are largely at the mercy of Visa and MasterCard when it comes to the fees they must pay every time they swipe a credit card.  These fees, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, have soared from $27 billion in 2004 to $48 billion last year (or $427 per household). Recognizing the tremendous market power held by card processors, many countries now regulate credit card transaction fees, setting them at rates as low as one-sixth of what U.S. businesses pay.  Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on May 5, 2009

Little Saigon Defeats Mega Development

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/little-saigon-defeats-mega-development/

Since 2005, residents and local business owners have been working to block this large retail development from spoiling their vibrant, walkable, urban neighborhood, which is home to many immigrant-owned small businesses. In late April, the developer backed out. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 28, 2009

New Tool Helps Low-Income Communities Evaluate Food Retailers

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-tool-helps-lowincome-communities-evaluate-food-retailers/

The newly published Sustainable Food Retail Framework aims to help cities struggling with a lack of grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods better balance the need to quickly fill the gaps (a mandate that often favors large supermarket chains) with the advantages of fostering development that delivers more long-term stability and greater economic, community, and environmental benefits (a framework that favors local business). Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Apr 24, 2009

Canadian City Council Rejects Wal-Mart’s Bid to Expand

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/canadian-city-council-rejects-walmarts-bid-expand/

Sticking up for its downtown businesses, the Owen Sound City Council derailed Wal-Mart’s plans to expand a current store into a supercenter. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Mar 18, 2009

Residents Vote Down Wal-Mart

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

Thanks to a well-organized grassroots campaign, Plaistow, NH, residents voted down (80% opposed) a request by Wal-Mart to rezone residential property to make way for a supercenter. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Mar 13, 2009

Leslieville Group Stops Big-Box Shopping Center

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/leslieville-group-stops-bigbox-shopping-center/

The grassroots group, East Toronto Community Coalition, was awarded for its efforts when the Ontario Municipal Board rejected a developer’s plan to bring a big-box plaza to the Toronto neighborhood of Leslieville. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Mar 12, 2009

Four Corporate Tax Loopholes States Should Close

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/four-corporate-tax-loopholes-states-should-close/

Doing so would ease budget shortfalls and restore a measure of fairnessfor small businesses, which lack access to these loopholes and end upshouldering a heavier tax burden than their big competitors. Some evidence even suggests that leveling the playing field may help spur entrepreneurialism and job growth. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Mar 2, 2009

Virginia State Supreme Court Ruling Halts a Wal-Mart Supercenter

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/virginia-state-supreme-court-ruling-halts-walmart-supercenter/

The grassroots group, Blacksburg United for Responsible Growth (BURG), is celebrating a Virginia Supreme Court decision that impedes Wal-Mart’s entry into its community. Continue reading