INDEPENDENT BUSINESS INITIATIVE
Taking Action Locally
LATEST
Community Wins: How Do You Buy Groceries When There’s No Grocery Store? These Communities Figured It Out
Kennedy Smith
October 26, 2023
From mobile markets to refrigerated food pick-up lockers, communities are exploring innovative new approaches to making sure their residents have convenient, affordable access to healthy food. Check out the latest in our Community Wins series.READ MORE
Getting Capital to Underserved Entrepreneurs: Some Pandemic Lessons
Susan Holmberg
September 7, 2023
In Nonprofit Quarterly, ILSR Senior Researcher Kennedy Smith describes the federal Equitable Lending Leaders program and some of its biggest lessons.READ MORE
Community Wins: In the Face of Consolidation, Communities are Opening Their Own Grocery Stores
Kennedy Smith
August 2, 2023
Communities are adopting innovative strategies to sustain their grocery stores or create new ones amidst the challenges posed by grocery sector consolidation. Some local governments are even creating a public option by operating grocery stores themselves. Here's how these places are ensuring access to fresh, healthy food.READ MORE
FEATURED REPORTS
Report: The Dollar Store Invasion
February 28, 2023
In this report, we spotlight communities rising up against dollar chains and how federal policymakers need to address the ways in which misguided policies are fueling the destructive proliferation of dollar stores.READ MORE
Special Delivery: Our Report Shows How Local Delivery Services are Superior to the Big Apps
Kennedy Smith
May 25, 2021
Our Guide Gives State and Local Leaders Tools to Fight Corporate Monopolies
Jess Del Fiacco
July 15, 2020
How Rising Commercial Rents Are Threatening Independent Businesses, and What Cities Are Doing About It
Olivia LaVecchia
April 20, 2016
FEATURED ARTICLES
In Governing: New Opportunities for Cities to Create Affordable Space for Small Business
Kennedy Smith
July 28, 2021
Biting Back: Delivery Apps are Gobbling Up Restaurant Revenues, and Cities Have Had Enough
Kennedy Smith
May 29, 2020
AUDIO & VIDEO
On The Hustle, Kennedy Smith Explains the Bad Economics of Dollar Stores
Susan Holmberg
October 11, 2023
Browse more articles and video.
FROM OUR PODCAST
Chuck Marohn Explains What's Wrong With America's Roads — Episode 136 of Building Local Power
Jess Del Fiacco
September 30, 2021
Main Street's Missing Ingredient: Small Scale Manufacturing — Episode 133 of Building Local Power
Jess Del Fiacco
August 19, 2021