The term Independent Business Alliance refers to local affiliates of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). According to AMIBA's website, "An IBA is a coalition of locally-owned independent businesses, citizens and community organizations united to support home town businesses in a community or geographic region...The AMIBA aims to help seed, support and network these alliances."
The first Independent Business Alliance originated in Boulder, Colorado in 1998. The BIBA was co-founded by David Bolduc, a local bookstore owner, and Jeff Milchen, who went on to co-found the American IBA.
According to AMIBA's website, there were 36 IBAs around the United States and (one) Canada as of September, 2007, as well as many other groups using this organizing model that were not directly affiliated. AMIBA is a non-profit organization.
