Happy 25th Anniversary, AMIBA!
Transforming Ripples Into Waves
2026 marks the American Independent Business Alliance’s 25th anniversary. Thank you for your years of engagement, transforming ripples into waves of local economic growth.
Throughout the year, we’ll reflect on the last quarter-century of AMIBA and build a timeline of the Local Economy Movement. Let’s collectively tell our story and ponder the question: Is it time for a new story? Please stay tuned and share your reflections with us.
Help Us Map the Local Economy Movement
We started drafting a timeline for our movement. Please help us grow our list:
Add your suggestions to the spreadsheet or message us below.
Local Economy Movement - 1800s
Themes: Cooperation, Cooperatives, Microfinance, Localized Production
1844: A group of 28 artisans working in the cotton mills in the town of Rochdale, in the north of England, established the first modern cooperative business, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, also known as the Rochdale Pioneers. Regarded as the prototype of the modern cooperative society and the founders of the cooperative movement. (Source: https://ica.coop/en/cooperatives/history-cooperative-movement)
1864: Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen was a pioneer in the early days of microfinance, which has become a popular movement. He opened the first cooperative lending bank in Germany, also considered the first rural credit union. (Source: https://ica.coop/en/friedrich-wilhelm-raiffeisen)
1898: Peter Kropotkin publishes Fields, Factories and Workshops, which advocates for localized production and organization based on cooperation rather than competition. (Source: https://centerforneweconomics.org/share/curriculum/new-economic-thought-timeline)