Winter Institute’s New Localism Sessions Now on Video

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For anyone who missed Winter Institute 11, as well as for those who want to revisit three sessions focused on key issues of the New Localism movement, the American Booksellers Association has posted videos of three Wi11 sessions online. The sessions are “Amazon and Empty Storefronts,” “City Growth and Downtown Math,” and “The New Localism”:

Amazon & Empty Storefronts: A Civic Economics Study

At Wi11, Civic Economics and the American Booksellers Association released a groundbreaking new study, “Amazon and Empty Storefronts,” which details the overall negative impact that Amazon has had on Main Street retailers and jobs, and the communities in which they are located, across the country.

This session features Dan Houston and Matt Cunningham of Civic Economics, a leader in research related to local economies and the impact of shopping decisions, and Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and coordinator of Advocates for Independent Business. Together, they discuss the compelling new data from the study about the costs and ramifications of Amazon.com’s expansion, as well as the local and national policy considerations regarding an equitable and sustainable economy.

City Growth and Downtown Math

Based on new research conducted in Durango, Colorado, this session, presented by Joe Minicozzi of Urban3, an urban planning consulting firm, focuses on how city economics improve with the inclusion of downtown independent retail. Minicozzi discusses how booksellers and other community stakeholders can begin to analyze the economic contributions of Main Street retail in their towns and cities and how to advocate on behalf of locally owned business with planning groups, elected officials, and others responsible for city management.

The New Localism

This session brought together experts and thought leaders on local economies for a discussion about the next phase in the localism movement. The session featured Cunningham and Houston of Civic Economics, Minicozzi of Urban3, and Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. The panel discussion was moderated by American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher. The discussion looks at both the profound impact of the localism movement over the past decade and the important new political and policy issues now emerging.


ABA also has created a New Localism Toolkit to help booksellers educate their staff, their customers, elected officials, and the media about the latest relevant data regarding the localism movement. The kit’s materials will also help booksellers to better advocate in support of public policy that promotes vibrant and diverse communities.