How We Should Measure Economic Progress

I love it when my separate jobs align serendipitously. 🌍 amiba.net/when-worlds-... @mainstreetjournal.bsky.social @localfutures.bsky.social

There is power at the local level. Join Shelterforce on June 17 for Laboratories of Democracy: Emerging State and Local Policy Visions—a conversation on housing policy, public banking, tax reform, and community reinvestment happening across the country. Register: bit.ly/3RIaAiQ #HousingJustice

The next Opportunity Zone map could shape investment for the next decade. This article explains why local leaders need to stay engaged. 📖 bit.ly/43BA049 #CommunityDevelopment #OpportunityZones

Canada has scaled CLT co-op housing in ways the U.S. largely hasn’t. Shelterforce's Steve Dubb explores why—and what lessons could apply here. 🎧 Listen to the story here: apple.co/4wsGwHJ #CommunityOwnership #HousingSolutions #AffordableHousing

Can't wait for the next one, @localreturn.bsky.social!

NYC holds up to $12B in cash — 90% at three Wall Street banks. A public bank could finance 17,000+ affordable units in its first five years. SF may vote on one in 2026. The movement is real. 🔗 buff.ly/tMCZMu1 #PublicBanking #AffordableHousing #ShelterInAFederalStorm

What if housing solutions require more than building more units? Join our 5/14 webinar: “What Does a Solidarity Economy Approach to Housing Look Like?” 👉 bit.ly/3OZAGgc #HousingJustice #AffordableHousing

#2 on the @mainstreetjournal.bsky.social's list of local economy stengths is Investment Reform, calling out the state of Michigan for their consideration of a tax credit for local investors. RI legislators are considering that, too: S8195/S2833. localreturn.org/2026-policy-...

States and cities pay $160B/year in interest to private banks. A public bank would let them keep that money — and put it to work for housing and community development. The movement is growing: shelterforce.org/2026/04/15/h...

We believe that strong local economies are the essential building blocks of a better world. We refuse to despair about what’s gone wrong with our world and instead are committed to strengthening a national and global local economy movement. Please read on!

"A study by the Federal Reserve in Atlanta showed that in those counties with the highest density of thriving local businesses, there was the highest per capita income growth rate. Investing locally means bringing down poverty and improving social equality locally." @mainstreetjournal.bsky.social

In corned beef we trust mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/in-corned-... @zingermans.bsky.social

@theamiba.bsky.social celebrate this month’s Local Legend, Helena Norberg-Hodge. She’s the founder and director of Local Futures, a nonprofit dedicated to renewing ecological and social well-being by strengthening communities and local economies. amiba.net/local-legend...

Apply now for our next cohort of Jumpstarters. Change the face of real estate development in Rhode Island. Shape your future and the future of your neighborhood. localreturn.org/jumpstart-rh...

New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery, a Black-owned business in Winchester, NH, offers award-winning locally made spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails. They source many ingredients right from their farm: blueberries, heirloom cider apples, and juniper berries. Learn more! buff.ly/1zEwoa9

I’m so proud to be an early investor in the RI Community Investment fund — to literally *invest* in our community! Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Long Live the Local Economy Movement 💕 2026 marks the American Independent Business Alliance's 25th anniversary. Thank you for your years of engagement, transforming ripples into waves of local economic growth. conta.cc/3NC61UX

Online Event | Free | Thursday, January 29 | 10 AM PT /18:00 GMT All registrants for next week's event, "Nourishing a Bioregional Economy: Put Your Money Where Your Feet Are," will be entered to win their pick of a book from Michael Shuman's library. Register Now: lnk.to/bioeconomyBK

During this 90-minute session, Donna Morton and Michael Shuman will share their knowledge of investing locally, supporting the local economy, and building bioregional institutions, including ideas for moving your money from Wall Street to Main Street. www.resilience.org/stories/2025...

Business on Purpose: A Virtual Session on Social Impact & Responsible Entrepreneurship happens a week from today! Link: bit.ly/biz-on-purpose-jan (Photo by Luke Webb)

Discover more about Myti, on a mission to build the next evolution in shopping: an experience that allows a community to order everything from everyday essentials to local favorites online while keeping money in their local economy. Join us on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 1 pm EST. buff.ly/E8i4KAV

Credit Union Size Matters mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/credit-uni...

In this webinar, Chris Brown shares how the Hudson Valley Alliance is combining rural CLTs, conservation, and manufactured housing to protect affordability and farmland—while pushing back on private equity. Watch here: bit.ly/4ag2EfI #RuralHousing #CLTs #HousingJustice

“To live means to buy, to buy means to have power, to have power means to have responsibility.” Resist AND Revitalize: buff.ly/6xMxLpi

It's the Most Wonderful Time to Give Local

Congress made Opportunity Zones permanent. Will they lift neighborhoods or just investors? Chicago’s Hope Manor shows what’s possible when local groups guide the dollars. Listen here: apple.co/4pT6 #OpportunityZones #Housing #CommunityDevelopment

The best part of choosing local is bragging about it! Tell your friends and family *why* you choose to spend with local and independently owned businesses and service providers. We can all be local economy champions.

Invest in Your Neighborhood ... Mall mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/invest-in-...

Keeping it local: How shopping close to home strengthens our community buff.ly/kY5hyVh #ShopIndieLocal

Hey @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social! How about a NYC Public Bank? mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/hey-zohran...

On Plaid Friday, embrace everyone already wearing plaid, document it with a picture, and watch it grow. buff.ly/dj8w5uG

Vicki will be leading a Local Leaders Roundtable for the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) @theamiba.bsky.social on November 13 Learn more and register here: amiba.net/events/#!eve...

This week in Shelterforce: From climate risk to #CommunityOwnership—how communities are protecting homes & power. Bluelining could deepen inequality as insurers pull back from climate-vulnerable areas. Plus: new models of #CommunityOwnership in Denver & beyond. 🔗 conta.cc/4otHCOQ #Housing

Plastic Microrecycling Goes Viral mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/plastic-mi...

We 😍 Plaid Friday!

Mega retailers use their market power to extract illegal pricing, access, and promotions from suppliers, allowing them to undercut small and medium competitors on retail prices. Join us to see how local businesses can stand up to big corporate power. localreturn.org/event/virtua...

Why Choose Indie Art this Holiday Season? Shopping art is about more than acquiring beautiful objects. It’s about: 🌟 Supporting local economies – When consumers purchase art, they invest in their own communities by supporting independent creators and small businesses. amiba.net/artists-sund...

I jumped at the opportunity to interview Hartmann, in part to expose him to ideas around community capital. As you’ll see, this effort is a work in progress! mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/thom-hartm...

TODAY & EVERY DAY! Where you spend your $ matters — your choices create a ripple effect that starts with you & extends out to your entire community & local economy. Choose an Indie Local (independent & locally owned business), & the positive ripple effects magnify. Let’s make waves! buff.ly/evqwoq9

Small Business Saturday: Shop Small and Indies First on November 29 The day after Plaid Friday is Small Business Saturday. No matter how you get involved, every little bit makes a big difference. Join us! amiba.net/shop-small-s...

Real-World Rabbit Holing mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/real-world...

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Why Choose Indie Local? It Fuels Neighborhood Job Creation 💸🌱 Independent retailers create more jobs per sales dollar than chain competitors or online giants. When you shop and invest your dollars, choose locally owned and independent businesses!

If you truly want to support minority-owned businesses, invest in those you know, trust, and love in your own backyard. It’s really that simple. mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/scamming-s...

Twin Threats to Local News (And Where's Local Opinion?) mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/twin-threa...

Sometimes it’s better to unleash many small things, in many places, led by many different groups, each sensitive to the needs of the affected communities. Read the latest MSJ: mainstreetjournal.substack.com/p/housing-co...

If your community thinking about organizing better support of local biz to strengthen the local economy, now is the time to read this great interview with Vicki's friend and colleague, Kimber Lanning of Local First Arizona. In big cities, small towns, rural communities, local prosperity is possible!

How can we invest more of our dollars into our local and regional food systems? Does your community help individuals invest in local food and farms? If so, we’d love to hear more. chooseindielocal.substack.com/p/invest-in-...

"I believe that unique, independent businesses create a culture that connects people to their hometown and makes them feel connected to each other and to their place."