Local Return

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

As always, get your copy of the book book from an independent local bookshop or a public library!

We've got a great new book club discussion coming up! How can we incorporate meaningful, productive, and engaging participation into public processes? Join us on March 24 to talk about Josh Lerner's Making Democracy Fun. localreturn.org/events/?even...

Text reads: Support the businesses that align with your values. On blue background with big red heart.

We vote with our wallet.

We joined our Small Business Rising partners to endorse the Fair Competition for Small Business Act, introduced in Congress by @booker.senate.gov and @repmaxinewaters.bsky.social. The bill will invigorate state-level antitrust enforcement to ensure fair pricing for small and independent businesses.

On blue background, text reads: Do you believe a local economy that supports the well-being of our people and places is possible? Are you passionate about economic self-reliance, sustainability, and responsibility? Do you strive to align your financial practices with your values? Want to be part of a growing circle of Rhode Islanders who share this commitment? Join our Public Awareness Committee. Our next meeting is Friday, January 9, at 12 noon on zoom. RSVP to jessica@localreturn.org for the link and agenda.

Do you want to shift the economic paradigm in Rhode Island? Join our Public Awareness Committee. Our next meeting is Friday, Jan. 9, 12 noon, via zoom.

What will you grow in 2026? We're cultivating an ecosystem for community wealth, a fertile ground where ownership and investment can thrive. Join us.

Support for local businesses doesn't have to end with the holidays. Make it a habit for 2026 to choose local, independently-owned businesses first.

White text on green background reads: We are all stakeholders in Rhode Island. Let's imagine and create a new future where our economic and financial practices support our beloved communities. Give today at LocalReturn.org.

It is possible! Your tax-deductible gift helps make it real. We are grateful to you. localreturn.org/connect/

Three words: LOCAL GIFT CARDS.

The Grace of Import Replacement - Schumacher Center for a New Economics Jane Jacobs painted an image of regional economies in which myriad small industries produce for regional markets—small industries that depend on local materials, local labor, local capital, local…

The Jane Jacobs approach to local economies: "At the core of these robust and vital regional economies would be the capacity to meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of the people of the region from within the region, not in a spirit of isolationism but in a spirit of self-determination."

Any last minute shoppers out there? Local businesses are waiting for you.

On blue background, there is a large number 5 in red. White text reads: Celebrate and build with us! We're turning 5 in February. If you value the work we do to build community wealth in Rhode Island, become a monthly donor. Your consistent support makes a world of difference, allowing us to grow and sustain our efforts.

If you like the work we do, join us as a recurring donor. For a volunteer-run organization like ours, your support makes a world of difference. localreturn.org/wont-you-be-...

Our @jdinri.bsky.social with a wicked meaningful list for 2025. What would you have suggested?

Red background, green bow in center, blue words: GIFT LOCAL.

Aren’t we lucky to live in a place where this is so easy? Support your local independents AND give the best gifts!

Senator Reed Talks Trump Tariffs and the Spiraling Costs of Coffee - The Providence Eye Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Steve Ahlquist’s Substack on November 14. Reprinted with permission. On Friday, United States Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) visited the great-smell...

Susan Mills of RI's Mills Coffee via @thepvdeye.bsky.social "People who work here have worked here for many years because they’re all like family. Coffee is both a supply chain and a village."

Woonsocket’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Stroll returns Dec. 6 with entertainment, a scavenger hunt, and visits with Santa. More details ➡️ https://bit.ly/3MiwJ4E