by Rebecca Melançon | Jun 26, 2020
The Local Economic Policy Program is a program of the Local Business InstiBy enabling and empowering communities to pursue changes in local policies, we can change the face of economic development in America. Economic development policies of local, state and federal...
by Rebecca Melançon | Jun 25, 2020
America’s future lies in the foundation and success of local business. Small business provides 85 percent of all job growth and accounts for 95 percent of all business in the nation. But especially now—in a time of shutdowns and reduced operations due to the COVID-19...
by Rebecca Melançon | May 25, 2020
Rebecca served on the Imagine Austin planning commission and later served on the Citizen’s Task Force to create this plan for the city’s growth and an ongoing need for a comprehensive plan. The document provides a road map for the city to navigate the...
by Rebecca Melançon | May 25, 2020
Rebecca worked on this comprehensive research project, contracted by the City of Austin Small Business Partnership. The Needs Assessment Study participants included 1,018 online surveys, 105 in focus groups and 15 intensive phone interviews. 53% of respondents were...
by Rebecca Melançon | May 25, 2020
When I was helping to form the Austin Independent Business Alliance back in 2002, the economic benefits of locally-owned businesses to local economies were suspected but unproven. In the years since, and with pioneering and nationally recognized leadership from AIBA,...
