Stacy Mitchell

Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project, a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance that challenges the wisdom and inevitability of economic consolidation and works to advance policies that support strong local economies and vibrant communities in the United States.

Stacy has served as an advisor to numerous small business groups, elected officials, and community organizations, and has helped dozens of cities and towns implement new land use and economic development policies that limit chain store sprawl and strengthen locally owned businesses.

Her latest book, Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses (2006), was named one of the top ten business books of the year by the American Library Association’s Booklist, while John Marshall of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer described it as “a galvanizing eye-opener that deserves the widest possible audience.”

Her previous book, The Hometown Advantage (2000), along with the tools and model policies available on the New Rules web site, have provided essential guidance to grassroots groups fighting on the front lines to save their communities from Wal-Mart and other mega-retailers.

In addition to her work with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Mitchell chairs the American Independent Business Alliance and is a founding board member of the Portland Independent Business & Community Alliance.