We help create and support thriving local business communities
through education, research & community-building programs.
We help create and support thriving local business communities
through education, research & community-building programs.
The Local Business Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas that is dedicated to the creation and support of thriving, sustainable local business communities through education, research and community-building programs. This is accomplished through five focus areas, outlined below.
Part think tank, part school, part national leadership, part training ground for local leadership, the Institute will be home to local leaders from across the country. Through special projects, distance learning, virtual and eventually live conferences, lectures and events, we will work to foster local, national and even global conversations around entrepreneurship and local economies. We will bring substantial resources to students of all ages and in many under-served regions, including many who are not currently engaged in education, policy work or business ownership at all.
Education options for all business owners, established entrepreneurs and the next generation of entrepreneurs, across all communities, providing practical, real-world strategies and programs designed to help local businesses not just survive, but to thrive in today’s competitive and changing business landscape.
Research begins with the Local Economic Policy Project and will continue with groundbreaking research focused on the impact of local business in their cities and towns, the larger impact across the country and the importance of their collective voice in policy-making around the world.
The Institute will play a national role in economic development policy, focusing on local business and sustainable communities
Building and supporting the local business ecosystem, bringing local business owners of all kinds together with national industry leaders to share ideas, resources, experience and knowledge - locally and nationally.
The Institute will play an important role in a greater national dialogue around policy and support for local businesses. We will support policies of inclusion, sustainability and greater good. We will not play a political role, this effort crosses many standard political boundaries and instead fosters the collective strength of all local businesses, regardless of party, race, creed, gender or ethnicity.
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