The American Independent Business Alliance (commonly known as “Amiba”) is a left-of-center association that claims to represent independent businesses. The organization’s focus is the growth and development of local independent business alliances.

The organization takes left-of-center views on issues such as antitrust, where it supports breaking up large businesses, especially in the technology industry. It has also encouraged legislation that would limit or even outlaw mergers as a way of combating monopolies in corporate America. ¹ In addition, the organization has taken left-of-center views on social policy. In 2017, it co-authored an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court against a Colorado baker who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple’s wedding. ²

The organization has also taken anti-free speech views and supports efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to rescind the First Amendment rights of businesses. ³

Overview

The foundations of what eventually became Amiba were laid in 1998 in Boulder, Colorado. The organization was founded by two people who organized their local, independent businesses against chain stores. The group eventually grew to 150 businesses within two years. ⁴

The coalition’s marketing efforts portrayed local businesses as trendy and created conversations between residents about the differences between local businesses and chain businesses and their impacts on the local economy. ⁵ Other small businesses across the country reached out about how to replicate what was occurring in Boulder. This led to the creation of Amiba in 2001. ⁶ Towards the end of the 2010s, Amiba began to change its focus to address left-of-center identity politics issues. ⁷

Currently, Amiba claims that 60 business alliance organizations in 30 states and the District of Columbia are affiliated, representing more than 50,000 businesses and organizations. ⁸

Among the list of partners of Amiba are the left-leaning groups Economic Security Project, American Sustainable Business Council, Small Business Anti-Displacement Network, and Small Business Rising. ⁹

Political Stances

In 2017, Amiba co-wrote an amicus brief in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case arguing that its owners had no free speech or conscience protections and had to bake a cake for a gay wedding. The bakery’s owner disapproved of gay marriage. ¹⁰

Compared to most business organizations, Amiba is more left-of-center on economic issues. It is a supporter of expanded antitrust enforcement against big corporations. In 2021, it joined other small business organizations in the Small Business Rising coalition. The coalition called for breaking up big technology companies, especially Amazon. The coalition also sent a letter to President Joe Biden (D) asking him to prioritize antitrust enforcement. It also urged an end to corporate mergers. ¹¹

Amiba is also a member of the Move to Amend coalition. The coalition is pushing a constitutional amendment to limit free speech by stating the money spent in political campaigns is not speech. ¹²

Leadership

Derek Peebles is the executive director of Amiba. He previously was involved in small business banking and involved with organizing small businesses and local residents in economic development. He sits on the boards of the American Sustainable Business Council, Green Umbrella, and Small Business Anti-Displacement Network, among other organizations. ¹³

Finances

According to its 2018 tax return, Amiba had $376,070.36 in revenue and $440,241.99 in expenses. It had $167,588.41 in assets. ¹⁴

The largest expense was $208,946 to help build local groups of independent businesses across the country. It also helped them form non-profits and guided them in their work with city government. ¹⁵

1. Klar, Rebecca. “New Small Business Coalition To Urge Action On Antitrust Policy.” The Hill. April 6, 2021. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/546644-new-small-business-coalition-to-urge-action-on-antitrust-policy.
2. Milchen, Jeff. 2017. “Let Them Eat Wedding Cake.” Common Dreams. December 5, 2017. https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/05/let-them-eat-wedding-cake.
3. “American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) At Move To Amend.” Move To Amend. Accessed October 18. https://www.movetoamend.org/theamiba.
4. “American Independent Business Alliance.” Independent We Stand. https://www.independentwestand.org/indie-profile-the-american-independent-business-alliance-amiba/.
5. “American Independent Business Alliance.” Independent We Stand. https://www.independentwestand.org/indie-profile-the-american-independent-business-alliance-amiba/.
6. “American Independent Business Alliance.” Independent We Stand. https://www.independentwestand.org/indie-profile-the-american-independent-business-alliance-amiba/.
7. “About Us.” AMIBA. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://amiba.net/about-us/.
8. “Home.” AMIBA. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://amiba.net/.
9. “Partners And Sponsors.” AMIBA. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://amiba.net/partners-and-sponsors/.
10. Milchen, Jeff. 2017. “Let Them Eat Wedding Cake.” Common Dreams. December 5, 2017. https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/12/05/let-them-eat-wedding-cake.
11. Klar, Rebecca. “New Small Business Coalition To Urge Action On Antitrust Policy.” The Hill. April 6, 2021. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/546644-new-small-business-coalition-to-urge-action-on-antitrust-policy.
12. “American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) At Move To Amend.” Move To Amend. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://www.movetoamend.org/theamiba.
13. “Leadership.” AMIBA. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://amiba.net/leadership/.
14. “American Independent Business Alliance.” Propublica. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/841602447.
15. “American Independent Business Alliance.” Propublica. Accessed October 18, 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/841602447.