Our History
As the population of Summit County, Colorado has continued to grow and its economic fabric has also evolved, so, too, has the concern for the survival and vitality of locally owned, independent business located within our beautiful mountain community. Many mom-and-pop shops and businesses - from coffee houses to bookstores, printing centers, hardware outlets, restaurants and more - have felt the squeeze as they've tried in vain to compete with deep-pocketed mega-chains, non-local corporate entities, and the power of discount and online selling. Some great businesses have closed. Others are making it ... but many just barely. So in the past decade, various business owners and citizens have repeatedly joined together, when a call to action was in order, to protect and bolster the interests of local, independent businesses. However, in recognizing the limits of taking only a reactive, defensive approach, these folks, your neighbors, soon identified the need for a more a proactive, offensive strategy.
Throughout the winter months of 2007-2008, various Summit County community and business leaders researched the possibility of creating an Independent Business Alliance(sm), which is a coalition of locally owned independent businesses, citizens and community organizations united to support hometown businesses in a community or geographic region. An IBA is a proven tool for helping maintain unique community character, ensuring continued opportunities for entrepreneurs, building local economic strength, and preventing the displacement of locally-owned businesses. An IBA also helps return decision-making ability over a community's future to the people who call it "home." It does this by informing citizens of the values provided by community-based businesses and their importance to the local economy, culture and social fabric. This helps residents view themselves as citizens, rather than as consumers, first by engaging them in active dialogue and decision-making about where they choose to spend their money. An IBA also focuses on group branding, promotion and advertising to elevate the collective profile of our community-based businesses. This helps level the playing field and brings to them some of the market advantages chains enjoy. Finally, an IBA creates strong relationships with local government and the media to inform local decision-making and give a voice to the locally owned independent business community and promote policy that supports community-rooted enterprise.
After much discussion, it seemed like an IBA would be the perfect solution to address some key economic issues associated with the increasing homogenization of the Summit County business community. When we heard that the founders of the American Independent Business Alliance, a charitable organization that helps establish and support IBAs nationwide, were considering holding a Colorado Summit on IBAs and economic vitality, we jumped at the opportunity to host the event right in our backyard. On May 27, 2008, AMIBA put on a statewide summit in Frisco, Colorado. On that Tuesday, they spoke to community and independent business owners from around the state about the success that other IBAs were having throughout the United States. That day, they inspired and empowered us to feel like we could have a taste of that success ourselves, if we so dared. And so we did, affiliating with AMIBA and marking that day as the official grass-roots beginnings of the Summit Independent Business Alliance. On July 4, 2008, we officially launched our organization to the public through a "Be Local, Buy Local" bumblebee float. Featured in both the Frisco and Breckenridge parades, the award-winning float was our first major attempt to promote our establishment and the importance of supporting community-based businesses.
Today, we are a group of locally owned, indie-biz owners, as well as citizens who care about preserving the unique economic, social and cultural character afforded by community-based businesses. We've started a marketing campaign to raise the consciousness of others in our area so that they're aware of the importance of preserving locally owned, independent business in the Summit County region. We also have many great goals, all centered around the concept of supporting, enhancing and promoting our indie-biz community. We feel it's vital to our mountain region's livelihood and marketability for us NOT to be like "Anytown, USA" or even "Anyresorttown, USA." We need to remain unique, self-sustaining - even vibrant and beautiful. One of the ways to ensure this happens is through the opportunities, ideas and help provided by people who truly care about Summit County, and deeply, thoughtfully understand what makes us great and different. The hope lies in the strength of our independent businesses. SIBA is their friend, giving renewed energy to that hope and taking on the mission to be their main advocate and biggest cheerleader.
