Independent Businesses Report Strong Holiday Says

An annual survey has found that independent businesses had strong sales growth over the holidays and appear to be benefitting from growing public interest in supporting locally owned retail stores, banks, restaurants, and other enterprises.

For more information, see our full news release.

ILSR Seeks Broadband Researcher

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), a small non-profit based in Minneapolis seeks a full-time employee to conduct public policy research in broadband/telecommunications. The position involves research, including conducting telephone interviews, writing, and creating online materials including charts/graphs, web pages, videos, infographics, etc.

For more information, see Job Posting.

New Report: Democratizing the Electricity System

ILSR has released a vision for a 21st century electricity system as a network of independently-owned and widely dispersed renewable energy producers.

"Thirty years ago renewable energy was a novelty," says John Farrell, author of the new report. "Twenty years ago it was little more than a cottage industry. Today the $100 billion renewable energy industry threatens to overturn the bigger-is-better foundation of the existing, 20th century electricity system.

Great Battle Over the Scale of Our Electricity System is Underway Argues a New Report - ILSR release, June 22, 2011

Nonprofits Slam Bills That Give Even Larger Subsidies to Waste Incineration Under Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard - ILSR release - ILSR Release, March 30, 2011

Press Release - January 26, 2011

Survey Finds "Buy Local" Message Benefitting Independent Businesses

For the fourth year in a row, a national survey of independent businesses (2,768, including retailers, service providers, restaurants and others) has found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign have experienced markedly stronger revenue growth compared to those located in areas without such a campaign. It found that those in places with a "buy local" initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere. Public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses has also increased in the last year. Download the Full Survey Results

Maximizing Jobs From Clean Energy: Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ Policy

Canadian province of Ontario has launched a clean energy strategy to maximize economic development while reducing pollution. Our January 2011 report, Maximizing Jobs From Clean Energy: Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ Policy, details how Ontario’s bold clean energy program – in just over a year – has resulted in the promise of 43,000 clean energy jobs in support of 5,000 MW of clean energy projects. 
Download Full Report or View the Executive Summary

Community Broadband Networks Are Faster and Cheaper for Consumers

North Carolina consumers and businesses would pay more for slower Internet access when communities are preempted from building broadband infrastructure according to a new analysis by ILSR's New Rules Project. A similar conclusion was reached in looking at broadband offerings in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul. Download the reports:

Faster, Cheaper Broadband in North Carolina Comes From Community Fiber Networks - November 2010

Twin Cities Broadband No Match for Community Networks - November 2010

Press Release

Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities

This September 2010 report shows that community solar power can offer unique benefits in the expansion of solar power, from greater participation and ownership of solar to a greater dispersion of the economic benefits of harnessing the sun’s energy. But community solar faces significant barriers in a market where the “old rules” favor corporate, large-scale development. New rules – better community solar policy and regulations – are needed to remove these barriers.
Executive Summary - Full Report

Success & Change in ILSR's Building Deconstruction Program

There has been continued expansion of building deconstruction in federal programs, the private sector and the community development sector. ILSR’s role has changed from one of a general contractor to one of a facilitator, using the talents of trainers and entrepreneurs to advance deconstruction in the U.S. Read more about our changing focus...

Breaking the Broadband Monopoly: How Communities Are Building the Networks They Need

This May 2010 report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis looking at publicly owned broadband networks. Across the country, hundreds of local governments, public power utilities, non-profits, and cooperatives have built successful and sometimes pioneering telecommunication networks that put community needs first. The study provides details on their successes, lessons learned, and illuminates barriers to copying the models.
Executive Summary - Full Report