Fighting Big Boxes

• Sprawl-Busters
  Al Norman has helped countless citizen groups block big-box projects. He can provide advice and help you design and execute a local campaign. His site has a wealth of resources.
• Battle-Mart
  A joint project of Al Norman and Wal-Mart Watch. Resources, advice, how-to.

Commissioning an Economic Impact Study

• Community Land Use and Economics
  This top-notch consulting firm does economic impact studies of proposed big-box projects, retail market analyses, independent business development plans, and much more. Contact Kennedy Smith at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Civic Economics
  Another first-rate consulting firm, which specializes in economic impact analyses and strategic planning. Contact Dan Houston at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Enacting Local Policies

• The New Rules Project
  Another program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (along with the Big Box Tool Kit), the New Rules Project maintains a clearinghouse of model polices that support strong local economies and healthy communities. The Retail section of the site includes model local ordinances, along with a wealth of supporting research.

Strengthening Locally Owned Businesses

• American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)
  Terrific resources and how-to assistance for forming an Independent Business Alliance and starting a "buy local" campaigns. In more than two dozen cities, AMIBA has helped launch campaigns that have succeeded in making "locally owned" a selling point.
• Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE)
  Dynamic organization working to build local business networks to foster sustainable, community-based economies. Offers detailed how-to resources for developing "Local First" campaigns.
• National Main Street Center
  Highly effective model and many great resources for revitalizing your downtown and neighborhood business districts.

Speakers for Public Forums

• Stacy Mitchell
  Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, director of the Big Box Tool Kit, and author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses. An advisor to communities on land use and retail development policies, she is a frequent speaker at public forums and conferences. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 612-379-3815 x213.
• Jeff Milchen
  Jeff Milchen is a co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance. AMIBA helps communities to launch, successfully operate, and network Independent Business Alliances, which strengthen and sustain community-based businesses while preventing chains from driving out locals. Contact him via AMIBA.net or 406-582-1255.
• Al Norman
  Al Norman, who runs Sprawl-Busters, achieved national attention in 1993 when he successfully stopped Wal-Mart from locating in his hometown of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Since then he has traveled throughout the U.S. helping local coalitions block big-box retail projects. A dynamic speaker, 60 Minutes called Norman "the guru of the anti-Wal-Mart movement." Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 413-772-6289.
• Kennedy Smith
  One of the nation's foremost experts on commercial district revitalization, Kennedy Smith served as the director of the National Main Street Center for thirteen years. In 2004, she co-founded Community Land Use and Economics, a consulting firm that specializes in economic impact studies, retail market analyses, independent business development plans, and more. A popular speaker on big box development and other retail issues, Smith can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-236-1232.