Local Return

Tall man addressing crowd in front of room, gesturing.

Our @joshdaly.bsky.social is happy to be at @mainstreetri.bsky.social’s session on economic vitality today!

We're extending the deadline *one more time* -- call it the blizzard effect. You now have until Wednesday, March 4 to apply.

Jumpstart Rhode Island – Local Return Jumpstart Rhode Island works to revitalize Rhode Island through training, mentoring, and networking for local aspiring developers. Our program is modeled on the unique community development program…

Want to strengthen the fabric of your neighborhood? Build your own economic security? Join us for three Saturdays this spring. Jumpstart Rhode Island applications are due this Friday.

Jumpstart Rhode Island – Local Return Jumpstart Rhode Island works to revitalize Rhode Island through training, mentoring, and networking for local aspiring developers. Our program is modeled on the unique community development program…

Reminder: The application deadline is one week from today. Apply now to join the next group of Jumpstarters creating good homes and good neighborhoods in Rhode Island.

White background, text in teal reads: I learned things I couldn't have learned anywhere else." - a Jumpstart Rhode Island graduate Smaller text reads: Jumpstart Rhode Island is a training, mentoring, and networking program for aspiring or early-stage developers who are community-minded and care about the future of Rhode Island neighborhoods. Learn more and apply by Feb. 27: localreturn.org/jumpstart-rhode-island

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...

Events – Local Return Are 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.

Join us on zoom TONIGHT to learn more about Rhode Island's FIRST and ONLY community investment fund.

Jumpstart Rhode Island – Local Return Jumpstart Rhode Island works to revitalize Rhode Island through training, mentoring, and networking for local aspiring developers. Our program is modeled on the unique community development program…

Calling aspiring Rhode Island neighborhood-based real estate developers! Apply now for our 15-hourJumpstart Rhode Island training program.

On teal background, red heart hands below text in white, which reads "local is my love language"

Today and every day.

Assorted Valentine-themed illustrations in red against ivory background -- like Cupid, roses, heart shaped candy, etc. Text in middle reads You had me at....talk local to me.

This is the way to my heart.

Assorted Valentine-themed illustrations in red against ivory background -- like Cupid, roses, heart shaped candy, etc. Text in middle reads You had me at...I'm a coffee snob, I only drink locally-roasted.

When your worst quality makes you even more lovable .

Assorted Valentine-themed illustrations in red against ivory background -- like Cupid, roses, heart shaped candy, etc. Text in middle reads I like to pay with cash so the business doesn't have to pay the credit card companies a swipe fee.

True love brings out the best in us.

Assorted Valentine-themed illustrations in red against ivory background -- like Cupid, roses, heart shaped candy, etc. Text in middle reads You had me at... Avon Cinema and chill?

The way to our squishy Rhode Island hearts.

A valentine for our Rhode Island hearts. Choose local, lovers!

“Where there’s money to be made, there will inevitably be those willing to exploit an industry to maximize profit."

...and @peterfneronha.bsky.social for standing up for independent local pharmacies and Rhode Islander consumers. 2/2

Rhode Island Attorney General uses new law to protect independent pharmacies from PBMs “Our bill was aimed at stopping PBMs from using audits as a tool to put independent pharmacies at even more of a competitive disadvantage," said Representative Kislak.

“Independent pharmacies are beloved small businesses that provide vital, valuable support to their community. Unfortunately, they are an endangered species due to the practices of the giant pharmacy chains and the PBMs that partner with those chains." Thank you, Rep. @rebeccakislak.bsky.social...1/2

After 28 years in the trade, Drew Scott has taken over a longtime North Smithfield barbershop, reopening it as The Barber Suite while honoring decades of local history and community tradition. https://bit.ly/4krnITK

Infographic shows 4 ways projects are de-risked through community engagement: > Compounding impact: Local ownership = local support >> fewer delays, smoother permitting, shorter development timelines > Market risk: Community buy-in boosts demand >> higher occupancy and revenue stability > Operational risk: Community governance = collaborative problem-solving >> creative responses to challenges > Systemic risk: Addresses inequality and instability that drive turnover, disengagement, and portfolio-level risk

"Community ownership is a powerful mitigant for project risks at all stages."

Infographic shows 4 amplifying effects of community owned projects: 1. Initial investment: communities invest in or co-own local assets 2. Returns generated: profits, savings, or shared revenue flow back to the community 3. Reinvestment: these resources fund new initiatives -- housing, clean energy, local enterprises 4. Compounding impact: each new project multiplies benefits, creating ongoing economic and social returns for the community

"Community ownership has the potential to create successive waves of impact as communities control and reinvest the financial returns created through their projects and investments."

"Community ownership models are not new: in fact, they have been the foundation of every major reconstruction in the United States and many successful societies across time."

The Business Case for Community Ownership: A Framework for Shared Prosperity Get exclusive early access to our reportand stay updated on launch news.

"Community ownership shifts governance and stewardship of resources—including capital—from the investor to the community that is most affected by an investment, and in doing so, generates positive economic, social and environmental impacts for that same community."

On a teal-ish background, text reads: "People may be tuning out public hearings--and politics more broadly--but they are tuning in to games...Why are most people more interested in games than in democratic processes that directly impact their lives? The answer is simple. Games are designed to be enjoyable, and democracy is not." Josh A Lerner, Making Democracy Fun Bubble in corner: Join our book discussion on March 24!

This is a great week to pick up your copy of Making Democracy Fun by Josh A. Lerner, so you can join our book club on March 24! Sign up at the link in our bio. Find it at a local library or a local, independent bookstore. localreturn.org/events/?even...

Artistic and fun infographic reads: 2026 Word of the Year HYPERLOCAL because (three arrows in purple, teal, and orange point to) Walkability (in purple): We're tired of having our lives constantly dominated by (and prematurely ended by) car-oriented planning & design. Friendship (in teal): We want it to be easier to make friends and build real community with our neighbors. Resilience (in orange): When disaster strikes, we know that our immediate neighbors are our first line of defense and key to our survival.

The word of the year/moment is: hyperlocal. (Artwork by @katvellos.bsky.social.)

Tealish background, big red heart, light green text that reads: Support the businesses that align with your values.

We’re so proud to see so many small Rhode Island businesses being thoughtful and generous with their choices during tomorrow’s general strike. We vote with every dollar we spend.

Green background, with megaphone in the left corner, in right corner lighter green text reads, "The best deals are the ones that support our community."

Choose community, in as many ways as possible.

On red background, white text reads: What can we do to fight the credit card monopoly? - Pay cash whenever you can. - Remember that when you and friends split a bill by throwing in a few credit cards, the restaurant has to pay a fee on every card. - Ask your senator and representative to support the Credit Card Competition Act. Learn more at LocalReturn.org/news.

Fight the credit card monopoly. Pay cash whenever you can. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...

On red background, white text reads: Business owners, are you swamped by swipe fees? Your stories help us better advocate for competition in the credit card industry. Share with us: - How much did you pay for credit card swipe fees in 2024? - Are swipe fees among your top two or three expenses? - Do you charge customers a fee for using a credit card, offer a cash discount, or require a minimum sale for credit card purchases? DM us or email jessica @ localreturn.org

On red background, white text reads: Business owners, what would lower swipe fees help you do? [ ] Have more competitive prices [ ] Make better expense projections [ ] Hire another employee [ ] Provide better benefits for your employees [ ] Invest back into your business [ ] Provide more philanthropic support in your community DM us or email jessica @ localreturn.org

Nationally, small businesses say that swipe fees are their second highest expense (after payroll). What say you, Rhode Island business owners?

On red background, white text reads: "Inflation has been positive for us." - Visa's CEO, on an earnings call Visa and Mastercard have a monopoly on the credit card processing market. Inflation is good for them because when Americans have to pay more, they take in higher swipe fees. $111.2 billion in 2024, to be exact. Congress, pass the Credit Card Competition Act.

On red background, text in white reads: Visa is raising credit card swipe fees (again) on Jan. 24. Swipe fees already went up: $ April 2022 $ October 2023 $ January 2025 Who pays the price? Small businesses and consumers.

Credit card swipe fees raise costs for small businesses and consumers. But they're awfully good for Visa and Mastercard (to the tune of $111.2 billion). Guess that's why they keep raising them. Support the Credit Card Competition Act. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...

I’m so proud to be an early investor in the RI Community Investment fund — to literally *invest* in our community!

Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Church showing growth in US credit and debit card swipe fees from $71.4 billion in 2013 to $137.8 billion in 2021.

RI businesses! Are you frustrated by credit card swipe fees? Share your input so coalitions like Small Business Rising can advocate for more credit card competition. share.hsforms.com/1jjt5AHyBSuq...

Three best friends have brought a taste of Syria to Lincoln with Layali Café, a modern, “vibey” nighttime café and lounge that serves authentic, homemade Syrian small bites, sweets, and drinks. Read more: https://bit.ly/49Gbe5N