Recommended Articles from Other SourcesBig Box Balderdash Corporate Chains Exploit Eminent Domain Why Privatizing Social Security Would Be Bad for Business Forget Small Business: Chamber of Commerce Serves Corporate / Bush Agenda Shop Your Party Preference? California Chamber of Commerce Initiative Threatens Public Interest Who Needs Chains When You've Got Community? |
Give a Gift to Your Local EconomyHoliday shopping choices make a big impact on your community Book Review: Big Box SwindleStacy Mitchell has provided a compelling account of why independent businesses are crucial to communities and democracy, and offers reasons for hope despite some bleak trends. Debunking Big Box Chains' "Bargains" on Generic DrugsWal-Mart and other mass merchants have received tremendous publicity for a pricing stunt that yields limited benefits and carries hidden costs for consumers Celebrate Independents!America's independent businesses have reason for optimism, thanks to creative new campaigns. Is Eminent Domain the Latest Form of Corporate Welfare?Small businesses are being confiscated by the governemnt to benefit giant corporations. Ranchers and Dairy Farmers Win Two Battles Over Corporate FoesRanchers win a price-fixing lawsuit against Tyson while dairy farmers win constitutional challenge against milk "check-off" fees. Local Ownership PaysMaintaining local ownership of businesses is not just good for community character and quality of life--it creates far more community wealth than allowing absentee-owned chains to proliferate. Littering America (with Dead Malls and Vacant Superstores)The growing number of empty big box stores burden communities in many ways. Some towns are getting wise and turning the tables. Bigger Banks Mean Bigger FeesThe Federal Reserve again has documented that large banks charged significantly higher fees to customers than small banks, and that fees at multi-state bank chains exceeded those of single-state banks. National Organization Helps Communities Resist Chain TakeoverThe American Independent Business Alliance was created to assists communities looking to support local independent business and stop chain proliferation from displacing community-based businesses. Mom and Pops Are TopsLooking for the best overall value in pharmacies? Look to your locally-owned shops, says Consumer Reports study.
|
Subscribe to Our Monthly E-mail Update.View SampleResourcesThe New Rules ProjectNewRules.org does outstanding work to promote local ownership and community empowerment. Their site lists dozens of examples of local and state policies. American Independent Business AllianceAMIBA.net Communities don't have to sit by and watch chains displace local independent businesses. They can proactively work to maintain community-owned businesses through local alliances like those AMIBA supports. Rocky Mountain Institute's Economic Renewal Programrmi.org promotes community development without rampant growth or corporate dependence. Big Box ToolkitBigBoxToolkit.com Provides tools for communities to control big box development and support local businesses. The Organization for Competitive Marketscompetitivemarkets.com provides research and advocates for increasing competition in the agricultural market while fighting monopolization. American Antitrust Instituteantitrustinstitute.orgAdvocates for enforcement of antitrust law All About Wal-Mart We've compiled a variety of useful articles about Wal-Mart Corporation and related issues on this handy index page. See our Food, Health and Environment page for more links to groups addressing independent business issues in farming and agriculture |
send us your comments or questions