The Main Street Journal
@mainstreetjournal.bsky.social
A hub for news about local investing: https://mainstreetjournal.substack.com/
How We Should Measure Economic Progress
How We Should Measure Economic Progress
Most communities measure economic progress by looking at regional gross domestic product (GDP), population growth, or successful corporate attractions. We know that these measures are misleading and w...
mainstreetjournal.substack.com
I love it when my separate jobs align serendipitously. 🌍 amiba.net/when-worlds-... @mainstreetjournal.bsky.social @localfutures.bsky.social
When Worlds Align: Localization and Solarization - AMIBA
Where’s the alignment this month? A release of local economist Michael Shuman’s new report in The Main Street Journal.
amiba.net
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
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Laboratories of Democracy: Emerging State and Local Policy Visions. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
There is power at the local level. Join us to hear about a range of exciting policies and campaigns at the state and city level all over the country to advance affordable housing and community reinvestment—from...
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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
How CLTs are Powering Co-op Growth in Canada: Lessons for the U.S.?
Podcast Episode · Shelterforce · May 1 · 19m
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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
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: What Does a Solidarity Economy Approach to Housing Look Like?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Today, affordable quality housing is often out of reach. Standard remedies tend to focus on tweaking regulations, zoning, and public subsidies. But what if systemic shifts are needed? That is a central...
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#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-...
A Report Card on the U.S. Local Economy Movement
Many great organizations and great leaders, all starved for funds, could provide the basis of a new, stronger local economy movement.
mainstreetjournal.substack.com
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...
How Public Banks Can Meet Public Needs — Shelterforce
Amid federal funding cuts, the idea of public banks is gaining ground as a tool for states and localities to finance community development.
shelterforce.org
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!
Creating a Framework: A Declaration for Independent Businesses - AMIBA
We believe that strong local economies are the essential building blocks of a better world.
amiba.net
"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
@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...
Local Legend: Helena Norberg-Hodge - The Economics of Happiness - AMIBA
We celebrate this month's Local Legend, Susan Witt, cofounder and executive director of the Schumacher Center for a New Economics.
amiba.net
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 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Rhode Island Community Investment Cooperative@investri.bsky.social · 7mo agoAre you interested in learning more about the Local Return Diversified Community Investment Fund? Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 17, at 5:30-6:15 p.m. for an information session. localreturn.org/events/?even...
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...
Nourishing a Bioregional Economy
In this live online event, Donna Morton (cofounder of Salmon Returns) and Michael Shuman (community economist) share their knowledge of investing locally and building bioregional institutions.
resilience.org
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
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
Opportunity Zones: Billionaire Handout or Housing Booster?
The Opportunity Zone (OZ) program has unleashed billions in private capital. But who does the program really help?
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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.
Keeping it local: How shopping close to home strengthens our community buff.ly/kY5hyVh #ShopIndieLocal
Keeping it local: How shopping close to home strengthens our community | Homer News
Every dollar spent locally helps create jobs, fuel community growth and keep Homer’s spirit thriving
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