Thursday, March 10, 2005
Local Business News from the Hometown Advantage Bulletin
After Pat Holt, one of the first people I discovered working on local business issues was Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. She authored the book, The Hometown Advantage, and has been sending out a regular email newsletter collecting stories related to supporting local businesses versus big-box retailers.
We're working on the issue from a pro-independent bookstore angle. I'm very glad people like Stacy are out working on legislation that challenges the chain stores.
Here are just some of the headlines that caught my eye from her newsletter:
I really believe there are ways to develop positive, pro-local economy measures that encourage local people to open small businesses while at the same time ensuring a fair and competitive business climate. The solutions are coming from people like Stacy Mitchell.
It's free to subscribe to the Hometown Advantage Bulletin.
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We're working on the issue from a pro-independent bookstore angle. I'm very glad people like Stacy are out working on legislation that challenges the chain stores.
Here are just some of the headlines that caught my eye from her newsletter:
this one makes me cheer...See the full list of stories here.
Feb. 24, 2005
Big-Box Dropped from Portland Redevelopment Project
Responding to intense public pressure, developers competing to redevelop five blocks on the east side of Portland, Oregon, have dropped plans to include big-box retail in their projects—countering the notion that big-box stores are necessary to finance major redevelopment and housing initiatives in urban areas.
http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=287
this makes me want to kick something...
Feb. 14, 2005
Wal-Mart Shuts Down Newly Unionized Store
Many employees burst into tears when store managers announced that, rather than negotiate with the new union, Wal-Mart would shut down the store, laying off nearly 200 people in this remote Québec town.
http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=284
and I've never before wanted to kiss a senator...
Feb. 8, 2005
Montana Considers Tax on Big-Box Stores
"That giant sucking sound you hear coming from the edge of town is the sound of money being taken out of your community by big-box stores," said Montana Senator Ken Toole, who has introduced a bill that would levy a tax on the state's big-box stores.
http://www.newrules.org/retail/news_slug.php?slugid=283
I really believe there are ways to develop positive, pro-local economy measures that encourage local people to open small businesses while at the same time ensuring a fair and competitive business climate. The solutions are coming from people like Stacy Mitchell.
It's free to subscribe to the Hometown Advantage Bulletin.
