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Main Street
Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 26, 2013

Locally owned businesses can help communities thrive — and survive climate change

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/locally-owned-businesses-communities-thrive-survive-climate-change/

Cities where small, locally owned businesses account for a relatively large share of the economy have stronger social networks, more engaged citizens, and better success solving problems, according to several recently published studies. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 36 Comments | Updated on Dec 10, 2012

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/

Here are the ten short-and-sweet reasons why supporting independent businesses is critical to the well-bring of our communities and our economy. Continue reading

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Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 12 Comments | Updated on Aug 16, 2012

Independent Businesses Deliver Bigger Economic Benefit, Study Finds

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independent-businesse-deliver-bigger-economic-benefit/

Choosing a locally owned business generates almost four times as much economic benefit for the surrounding community as shopping at a chain, a new study has concluded. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Aug 17, 2011

Study Finds Local Businesses Key to Income Growth

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/study-finds-local-businesses-key-income-growth/

The results of a new study suggest that the key to reversing the long-term trend of stagnating incomes in the U.S. lies in nurturing small, locally owned businesses and limiting further expansion and market consolidation by large corporations. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Sep 18, 2009

Local Businesses Key to Rebuilding New Orleans’ Economy, Study Finds

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-businesses-key-rebuilding-new-orleans-economy-study-finds/

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many of New Orleans’ locally owned businesses reopened within days of the floodwaters subsiding, while national chains kept their distance for months, even years. Now a new study finds that the city’s independent businesses are not only more resilient, but generate twice the economic impact of big-box retailers like Target, while consuming a fraction of the land. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Aug 19, 2009

Neighborhood Stores: An Overlooked Strategy for Fighting Global Warming

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/neighborhood-stores-overlooked-strategy-fighting-global-warming/

So far, the public debate about cars and climate change has been dominated by fuel economy. But driving has been growing at such a rapid pace that even a big advance in fuel economy is likely to be wiped out by ever more miles on the road. This is where local stores come in.  Dozens of studies have found that people who live near small stores walk more for errands and, when they do drive, their trips are shorter. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Oct 15, 2008

Modest Changes in Shopping Habits would Produce Big Economic Benefits, Study Finds

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/modest-changes-shopping-habits-would-produce-big-economic-benefits-study-finds/

Shifting even a modest amount of consumer spending from chains to locally owned businesses would have a major impact on the West Michigan economy, according to a new study. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 31, 2008

Roundtable: Bill McKibben, Stacy Mitchell, and Michael Shuman (Video)

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/bill-mckibben-stacy-mitchell-and-michael-shuman-roundtable-booksellers-2008-conference/

The American Booksellers Association’s January 2008 Winter Institute conference featured a roundtable discussion with authors Bill McKibben, Stacy Mitchell, and Michael Shuman, who talked about the importance of rebuilding local economies. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 24, 2007

Declaration of Independents — Lecture

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/declaration-independents-2/

This lecture was delivered by Stacy Mitchell at the 26th Annual E.F. Schumacher Lectures in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Continue reading

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Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 9, 2006

10 Reasons Why Maine’s Homegrown Economy Matters: And 50 Proven Ways to Revive It

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/10-reasons-why-maines-homegrown-economy-matters-and-50-proven-ways-revive-it/

This report opens with an overview of research on the impacts of large chain stores and the benefits of locally owned businesses. It then outlines dozens of concrete strategies to rebuild the homegrown economy. Although this report was written for Maine, the strategies are applicable in other states. Continue reading