American Independent Business Alliance

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AMIBA logo

The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of local independent businesses, helps communities develop strong local economies through nurturing local entrepreneurs, and promotes citizen engagement in local economic development. AMIBA helps communities to: launch and successfully operate "buy local" campaigns; facilitate group purchasing and marketing among local businesses, and; other programs to support community enterprise.

Many of these communities form Independent Business Alliances to strengthen and sustain community-based businesses while strengthening local economies and preventing chains and other remotely controlled businesses from driving out locals.

Local independent businesses

AMIBA defines a local independent business as:

• Private, employee, community, or cooperative ownership
• At least 50% owned by area residents
• Full decision-making authority for the business lies with its local owner(s)
• A limited number and geographic range of business locations (determined by local affiliates based on their circumstances)

History

The organization was incorporated in 2001 by Jeff Milchen and Jennifer Rockne, who previously led the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (in Colorado), the first such alliance in the U.S. The AMIBA is a 501c(3) educational organization based in Bozeman, Montana and is directed by an eight-member board comprising present or past leaders of local Independent Business Alliances.

Eighty local Alliances were active in the United States and Canada as of March, 2012 representing more than 20,000 independent businesses across 34 states. Many other organizations have emulated the IBA organizing model in recent years.

Citizens United v FEC, American Tradition Partnership v Montana

AMIBA engaged in the 2009 U.S. Supreme Court case of title=Citizens_United_v._Federal_Election_Commission Citizens United v FEC, arguing to retain long-standing limits on corporate political power. AMIBA's amicus brief argued that enhancing the political power of large corporations would harm smaller competitors that must rely on market performance for their success. Though neither party was involved directly, AMIBA opposed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the case. AMIBA has a web page devoted to explaining why Granting Corporations Bill of Rights Protections Is Not "Pro-business".

External links

• American Independent Business Alliance
• Map of current AMIBA affiliates

Board of directors

Steve Bercu,President, Austin IBA

Dana Eness,Director, Stay Local! New Orleans

Amy Huerta, Local Business Initiatives Manager, City of Fresno, Fresno Regional IBA

Carla Jimenez,Co-founder, Tampa IBA

Erin Kilmer Neel,OnePacificCoast Foundation, Director, Oakland Unwrapped

The Executive Director is Jennifer Rockne