One group dedicated to promoting local business is AIBA, the Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance. Myra Ghatts is a board member. She was kind enough to answer some questions about AIBA. In 2003, Myra returned to her native Albuquerque to persue her dream of opening her own place, Slate Street Cafe . Check it out on the web at www.slatestreetcafe.com.

What is the mission of the AIBA?
The Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance is dedicated to preserving and improving Albuquerque's unique character and building a sustainable community by supporting local, independent businesses. We support local, independent businesses
in several ways:

1. 1. Offer opportunities in joint marketing programs.
2. 2. Offer networking events.
3. 3. Offer educational forums for local, independent businesses to learn from.
4. 4. Develop opportunities for local, independent businesses to forge alliances with trade associations, government agencies, and other business-oriented groups.
5. 5. Educate consumers about the economic benefits of shopping local and independent.
6. 6. Raise awareness of how local, independent businesses

When was the organization founded?
AIBA was founded in 2003 by Elissa Breitbard, owner of Betty's Bath & Day Spa. The organization was incorporated and printed its first directory in 2004. 

Who are the members of the AIBA?
AIBA Members are independently owned business located
in Albuquerque. The criteria for joining AIBA are as follows:

• Primary place of business in Albuquerque or surrounding areas
• At least 51% owned by Albuquerque-area residents
• Free to make their own business decisions without the need for approval by nonresident owners or affiliates

What successes has the AIBA had? How do you measure the organization's success?
AIBA has had success in spreading the word that buying local is important and can positively impact our community.

We have been invited to sit on the Mayor's Small Business Advisory Council and in 2006 helped pass an ordinance requiring Albuquerque to increase purchases under
$10,000 from small businesses. We have published directories of our members every year since 2004 We continue to work on behalf of our members on healthcare reform and affordability for small businesses.

Where has the AIBA fallen short in its mission? Are there plans to improve in those areas?
AIBA has fallen short in membership growth over the last few years. Although the organization is growing fast and the "buy local" message is becoming more and more common, there are still many local, independent businesses
that have not heard of AIBA. We need to continue to get the word out and recruit new members.

How do people find out more about the AIBA?
Go to our website at www.keepitquerque.org

How do businesses or individuals join the AIBA?
We take business and individual members; we are currently running an economic stimulus membership package that is $99.99 annually for businesses and $75 for individuals. You can sign up to become a new member on line atthe website above.

How do New Mexicans find local businesses that provide the goods or services they are looking for?
The AIBA directory from 2008 had a map and listing of all our members. These directories can still be found at some member business around town and were distributed in Albuquerque the Magazine last fall. For a current listing of members, you can go to our website listed above. You can also search for a specific type of business on our website.

What else would you like to say about AIBA or supporting local business?
There have been numerous studies done about the impact on local communities and local economies when consumers support local, independent businesses. When we, as consumers and customers, support local independent businesses
we are supporting our friends, neighbors, families, co-workers, and the community as a whole.