Jackson Free Press

Several Community members supported the idea of of forming a local business alliance today during a presentation by American Independent Business Alliance co-founder Jeff Milchen.

"I believe people can be encouraged to buy into the buy-local concept," said Jackson State University's Center for University-Based Development Project Manager Curnis Upkins. "With local stores you have the benefit of buying from someone in the community. Chances are, buyers know somebody who started that store, so they have a personal connection there from the onset. National chains tend to bring in people from out of town, but if the person lives in the community you already have that personal relationship."

Milchen, speaking to a group of about 35 at Koinonia Coffee House's Friday Forum, praised advantages of buying from local vendors during his "Strength in Numbers" presentation. Years after helping to change the face of shopping in Boulder, Colo., the AMIBA representative now helps other communities organize local business campaigns. He said that Jackson has the makings of a local-business promotion powerhouse.

Upkins admitted that "big box" retailers often have the advantage of lower-priced products, but have a limited financial benefit to the community because most of the wealth generated leaves the community.

"Sometimes people look at it as a price thing, and it is, but there are economic advantages to buying local. Secondly, everybody likes cool stuff, and a lot of times you get the really cool stuff from the local places," Upkins said.

Milchen has successfully promoted the Independent Business Alliance formula since 2001, forming more than 65 affiliated alliances throughout the country. He pointed out that shoppers intrinsically want to encourage and promote local businesses--indicated by national retail chains advertising in the "shop local" sections of many papers.

Jackson resident Bo Smith, owner of Cornerstone Home Lending Inc., who used to live in Denveer, witnessed firsthand how Milchen's IBA formula transformed Denver.

"I was lending money to people considering going back into these neighborhoods, because they had developed a need to connect with their community," Smith said. "And I'm not just talking about retail shops. It was people reinvesting back into the community that sparked the retail operations."

Jackson Free Press and BOOM Jackson publisher Todd Stauffer arranged Milchen's visit. Read the JFP interview with Milchen, "Alliances of the Little Guys," in this week's issue.