Republicans in Congress are dealing big blows to small businesses right now. One looming one is the dramatic increase in health insurance costs for those who buy through the ACA marketplaces. Half— half! — of people under 65 using the marketplaces are small business owners and employees.

We write in today’s @bostonglobe.com about the economic development strategies that would help people and places to flourish in Rhode Island. Sneak peek: it’s not $100 million for a company whose CEO makes $16.8 million a year.

We're on a mission to find Rhode Islanders who boost the flow of economic and community benefits by devising creative ways to keep money rotating locally. Who are these people and companies? Tell us here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Last chance to RSVP for tomorrow's webinar: Investment Crowdfunding 101. This is a great opportunity for local, independently-owned businesses to learn about Regulation CF. Spread the word! Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

3 cheers for this proposal for an investment into employee ownership from @sabinamatos.bsky.social. "It’s time to chart a new path: one where the businesses that define Rhode Island stay open and remain in the hands of the communities who built them."

So many great connection opportunities coming up. Join us for one or all! localreturn.org/events/

Investment crowdfunding is a way for businesses to raise $ by asking many backers to invest a small amount each, with promise of a return. People can support their favorite neighborhood businesses! But it's not right for every biz. Come to this workshop to learn more. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Consider yourself a savvy local economist who’s maximizing the positive returns that your money is having for the local community? Or looking for ways to increase those returns?

Rhode Island small businesses, have you considered whether your customers could invest directly into your business? 🤔 Here's your chance to see if investment crowdfunding is right for you. 💸 Join us for this briefing by Honeycomb Credit. 🍯 localreturn.org/events/?even...

We honor labor, today and every day. Thank you to the workers who build, serve, and better Rhode Island.

I am super excited for this one. I finished the book last weekend and have so many ideas and questions to discuss.

Our next book discussion will focus on The Connected Community: Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods by @cormacrussell.bsky.social and John McKnight. Get reading, and join us on October 21 for conversation!

Support your local businesses, RI! And pay in cash when you can, so the businesses don’t lose money to exorbitant swipe fees from the credit card monopoly.

Join us tomorrow for a tour of the Black Block Cultural District with developer Leslie Moore. localreturn.org/event/walkin...

Reg CF is one way around this, which is why we're hosting Investment Crowdfunding 101 with local partners next month. Join us! localreturn.org/events/?even...

Join us to learn more about one local real estate centered strategy for building community wealth. Next Tuesday, Leslie Moore will lead a tour of the Black Block Cultural District in downtown Pawtucket. localreturn.org/event/walkin...

RI business owners, join us for an online workshop on Regulation Crowdfunding. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night to discuss The Financial Activist Playbook by Jasmine Rashid. What a ❤️ conversation about 💸. Any suggestions for our next book?

Tomorrow morning, we'll be at Presto Strange O with @investri.bsky.social. Yes, we know that Warwick Neck is quite a trek. Come out for a coffee, venture to Rocky Point for a morning walk or a swim, pick some blueberries at Rocky Point Blueberry Farm, stop for corn at Morris Farm on the way home.

"Don't be afraid to imagine new ways and places for money to flow." - Jasmine Rashid We're discussing Rashid's The Financial Activist Playbook this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Join us? localreturn.org/events/?even...

Check us out, along with Andy Posner of Capital Good Fund and Dominique Resendes of Central Providence Unidos, in this new @overdueingit.org podcast episode about Investing in the Local Economy.

Tomorrow, tomorrow! Come find @jdinri.bsky.social at the table with the pinwheel.

When supermarkets sell properties, they may attach a deed restriction that says the property can't be used to sell fresh food FOR DECADES. So: 🥦 Residents can't access food 🤑 Existing grocers raise prices 💀 Neighbors stuck with empty bldgs / 🥵 heat islands 📉 Surrounding businesses dragged down

Our latest enews is dropping this morning. It's not too late to sign up. mailchi.mp/c4f4889a9f4b...

This is why we supported S991/H5552 which would've allowed for local enforcement of Robinson-Patman Act violations and H5902/S970 to prohibit the use of restrictive covenants related to grocery stores, introduced with backing of @sabinamatos.bsky.social.

🎧 MUST LISTEN: Woonsocket leads off this @99pi.org episode on food deserts and supermarket monopolization.

Jumpstart Rhode Island continues! Graduates from our first cohort are doing a special Jumpinar this evening on pro formas with @joshdaly.bsky.social.

This week's Wednesday coffee is on Tuesday. We'll be at Notes Coffee Co. in Pawtucket tomorrow from 8 until 9 a.m. Ready to talk about community, investment, morning beverages, local economies, and all things!

Book club!

Nice to see coverage of Lt. Gov. Matos's efforts to take on food deserts in Rhode Island by confronting the elephant in the room: supermarket monopolies. www.thenation.com/article/soci...

"1) “Why is this like this?” in relation to money is a portal to change, if we then 2) permit ourselves to check in internally, 3) imagine different possibilities, (4) start with one personal act of resistance, & finally, 5) connect with others doing the same." www.forbes.com/sites/morgan...

When we say the whole state, we mean it. Westerly, we can’t wait to be in your neighborhood tomorrow to drink local coffee and talk about community investment.

Farmers markets are in full swing across northern R.I.—browse local produce, handmade goods, and more while supporting your neighbors. Find one near you: https://bit.ly/3GsCI48

Today we celebrate our Independents, the locally-owned businesses that keep our local economy going, and the local workers, entrepreneurs, and owners of all kinds who make our communities better.

This week's Making the (G)rounds stop is Empire Tea & Coffee on Broadway in Newport. Meet us there to toast the start of July!

Our next book discussion is on The Financial Activist Playbook by Jasmine Rashid!. Join us virtually on August 6. localreturn.org/events/?even...

Tomorrow's Making the (G)rounds stop is a special one for the coffee aficionados among us. Dissent Coffee Co is popping up at Seed Cafe. See you there between 8 and 9 a.m.! (Seed Cafe is located downstairs in the Still on Main building in Pawtucket.)

Come play with us this week -- and support two great local businesses! First up: the Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour continues on Wednesday morning at Seed Cafe in Pawtucket. See you at 8 a.m.? Next: Local Social with Jumpstart Rhode Island grads Wed evening, 5:30 p.m. at Moniker Brewery.

What a day! The first Jumpstart Rhode Island cohort graduated from the training program. Congratulations, crew! 🎓🌟🏡 Thank you, faculty! And special thanks to @rachel-ri.bsky.social for the words of encouragement today.

“Graduated” from @localreturn.bsky.social’s first Jumpstart RI cohort today, learning how to become a neighborhood property developer. Thanks for joining us @rachel-ri.bsky.social!

Honored to have been part of the Inaugural cohort of JumpStart Rhode Island with @localreturn.bsky.social, & am excited to apply the skills & knowledge gained through participating in this excellent program!

Next Wednesday, we've got a special Local Social with special guests: our first cohort of Jumpstart Rhode Island graduates. Come on by to help build a network of support!

“You should be able to know who your neighbors are. This may seem like a relatively obvious statement, but people and communities across the country are finding it harder to do this, in large part due to the increasing role of financialization in housing.” @shelterforce.bsky.social

Looking for a mantra to guide your localist consumerism? Try NEVER.

There are some great virtual events being held during World Localization Month thanks to @localfutures.bsky.social. worldlocalizationday.org/events/

We’re in need of mentors experienced in real estate to support 16 amazing participants in our first Jumpstart cohort. Mentorship can be rewarding and fun. You’ll make a difference in someone’s life. Plus, you’ll help us make this program the best it can be for RI! localreturn.org/jumpstart-rh...

Join us for our next Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour stop this Wednesday, June 11, at Borealis in Riverside! ricommunityinvestment.com/summer-2025-...

Rhode Island’s very own Nicole Vitello is part of the Community Capital Live series. The next interview is June 18 at 2 p.m. with Annie Forrest of the Appalachian Growth Fund.

We at @localreturn.bsky.social have tried to get traction on a tax credit (up to $3,000 per person) to incentivize investment into local businesses and community investment funds. This would be available to every taxpayer (not just firms, many out of state). Anyone want to talk about that?

2 chances to hang with us and @investri.bsky.social tomorrow: 8-9 a.m. at White Electric Coffee Co-op or 5:30 p.m. at Moniker Brewery. It's going to be a ☀️ day!