Boulder's independent businesses, as well as BIBA itself, have been featured in a number of articles in both local and national publications. Some of these articles were written by BIBA staff members to educate the public about the value of locally owned independent business, while others feature BIBA programs or member businesses. Feel free to download and make use of any of these published documents.

TIF at Crossroads:
The Key to Boulder's Economic Vitality - Or Public Finance for a Private Developer's Dream?
A Preliminary Report by the Boulder Independent Business Alliance
download pdf version (461 KB)
Responding to the need for community awareness regarding the fate of Crossroads, the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (Biba) has released a preliminary report on the possible implications of a tax increment finance (TIF) district at the embattled mall. The report, available online at www.boulder-iba.org/communityresources.php, defines the terminology behind the plan and offers alternative solutions for the 68 acre tract of land that has left negotiations between the city and California-based developer Macerich dissolved.


Best Boulder Shopping Deal --WestWord
Community Benefit Card
Boulder Independent Business Alliance
Featured in Westword April 2002

The Declaration of Independents
Just when economic bullying by big corporations threatened the whole idea of independent small business, company builders nationwide did the last thing anyone expected -- they turned to one another for help.
Featured in the Sept 2001 issue of Inc.Magazine

Homegrown Economics
HOW BOULDER BUSINESSES ARE
STAYING AHEAD OF THE CHAINS by Stacy Mitchell
Featured in the Autumn 2001 issue of Orion Afield

IN BOULDER, BUYING LOCAL PAYS
Featured in The Home Town Advantage Bulletin March 2001

Fighting the Chains
By Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
This article originally appeared as a three part series
in the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association's newsletter, 2000

Why Shop Locally -The Benefits of Shopping Locally
pdf (776KB)
html

Bucking the Chain Store Trend
By Stacy Mitchell
originally published in Rocky Mountain News, March 17, 2000

ENTREPRENEUR
origianally published in Boulder Daily Camera Monday, December 14, 1998
The first shaky steps of any entrepreneurial venture are the most important. Entrepreneurs and small business people are often frustrated in their search for support organizations. Where can you find an organization that is small enough that you are not swallowed up in a vast membership, while having a wide range of members from start-ups to large, seasoned businesses? An organization that is somewhat selective in its membership? And focuses the goals of the community?

No Competition Need Apply By Beth Skinner
Are you an independent business owner? Tired of having to lower your prices, provide superior customer service and guaranteed satisfaction? Are you just tired of competition in general? Then consider this - the Boulder Independent Business Alliance proposed an ordinance recently known as the Community Vitality Act (CVA). This act would limit the number of chain stores in the city in hopes that it would assist the local, independently owned retail stores by sheltering them from competition. The ordinance would prohibit any growth in the number of formula businesses - those with standardized features and three or more outlets - except at Crossroads Mall.
Beth Skinner wrote this article for the Independence Institute, a free-market think tank in Golden, http://i2i.org.