Little-noticed laws in more than half the states allow retailers to keep a portion of the sales taxes they collect from shoppers. The practice is costing states over $1 billion a year and lining the pockets of large chains, notably Wal-Mart. … Read More
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the demise of independent businesses is not the inevitable result of market forces and consumer choices. Public policy at all levels of government has played a major role in fueling the growth of large corporations at the expense of America’s independent small businesses. To level the playing field and allow small businesses to originate and flourish, we advocate the following policies.… Read More
David Morris discusses Electric Vehicles and related issues on WCCO’s Don Shelby Show on October 22, 2008.
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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.… Read More
Stacy talks about the benefits of independent businesses in this 10-minute interview on WAMC, public radio in Albany, NY.
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a four-year-old, statewide grant and loan program for grocery store development, has financed over 50 independent grocery stores and small food retailers in underserved areas of the state. … Read More
Shopping center construction continues at a furious pace, even as chain retailers announce plans to close more than 6,500 outlets and vacancy rates soar.… Read More
This commentary was originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. What Wal-Mart has saved poor and middle-income Americans —and there’s reason to doubt the depth and durability of those discounts — it has taken that and more from them in diminished job opportunities and reduced income.… Read More
The Capital Region’s future would be much better served by fostering the growth of locally owned businesses, rather than chasing after big-name national retailers, as was suggested in Chris Churchill’s May 11 article, "Trendsetter shops bypass region."
Research shows local businesses deliver significantly greater economic returns for a community than national chains. A study conducted in Chicago by the firm Civic Economics found that every $100 spent at a national chain generated an average of $43 in additional economic activity in the local area. That same $100 spent at a locally owned store or restaurant created an average of $68 worth of new local economic activity.
Why do local businesses deliver so much more economic bang for our buck?
