American Independent Business Alliance

The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is an organization that helps communities support local independent business and stop chain proliferation. It describes itself as "a national 501c3 non-profit organization helping communities launch and successfully operate an Independent Business Alliance (IBA), 'buy independent, buy local' campaigns, and other efforts to support community enterprise. ... Since 2001, IBAs have formed in a diverse range of communities and are playing a crucial role in keeping opportunities alive for entrepreneurs, building more self-reliant communities, and engaging citizens actively in their community's future. AMIBA exists to help local IBAs succeed through networking them to share ideas, developing and sharing resources, and advising on operation and strategy. We also provide consulting services and produce custom materials for municipal governments, independent trade groups, Chambers of Commerce and other entities.  AMIBA is the first national organization to represent the interests of community-based independent businesses in a voice uncompromised by chain or foreign businesses. For more about our positions, please see our Platform for America's Independent Businesses, produced in partnership with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance." AMIBA was founded by Jeff Milchen and Jennifer Rockne.

Campaign opposing the Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
In January, 2010, AMIBA co-launched Free Speech for People.org which is, according to its website, "a campaign sponsored by Voter Action (voteraction.org), Public Citizen (citizen.org), the Center for Corporate Policy (corporatepolicy.org)  and American Independent Business Alliance (amiba.net) to restore the First Amendment's free speech guarantees for the people, and to preserve and promote democracy and self-government." It was launched in the wake of the landmark decision of January 20, 2010, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, overturning most restrictions on corporate and labor union funding in U.S. elections.

Personnel
Founders:
 * Jennifer Rockne, Director
 * Jeff Milchen, Outreach Director

Board of Directors:
 * Stacy Mitchell, Chair
 * Steve Bercu, Treasurer
 * Erin Kilmer Neel
 * Betsy Burton, Vice Chair

Advisory Board:
 * David C. Korten
 * Michael Kinsley
 * David Bolduc

Contact details
222 South Black Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: 406-582-1255 Email: info AT amiba.net Web: http://amiba.net

External articles

 * "Corvallis Business Alliance Urges Residents to Shop Locally", Institute for Local Self-Reliance, April 1, 2004.
 * "Lakeshore Independent Business Alliance urges shoppers to break big-box habit", Mlive.com, November 21, 2008.
 * Brian Wingfield, "Campaign Finance Showdown", Forbes, September 8, 2009.