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March 3, 2016 – Allegheny College will host a presentation by Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and author of “Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses.”

The event, which will focus on establishing an innovative, equitable, thriving local economy, will be held Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center at Allegheny College.

At the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Mitchell directs its Community-Scaled Economy Initiative, which produces research and analysis, and partners with a range of allies to design and implement policies that curb economic consolidation and strengthen community-rooted enterprise. She has led collaborative efforts to build stronger organizing and advocacy networks among local businesses and is the author of several books.

Mitchell also will participate in a local economies workshop on Saturday, March 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Shops @ the Bank, 940 Park Ave.

The workshop will feature Mitchell, along with the following panelists:

• Evelyn Burnett, vice president of economic opportunity at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, whose mission is to foster communities of choice and opportunity throughout Cleveland

• Dan Conant, Allegheny College Class of 2007 and founder of Solar Holler, a company dedicated to repowering and revitalizing Appalachia’s economy with clean energy

• Jenifer Kaminsky, director of housing and community development at PUSH (People United for Sustainable Housing) Buffalo, a membership-based community organization fighting to make affordable housing a reality on Buffalo’s West Side

In addition, Mitchell will be available throughout the day on Friday, March 11 to meet with local organizations and community members. Anyone interested in meeting with her on Friday can contact Autumn Vogel, Allegheny Class of 2015 and Year of Meadville organizer, at avogel@allegheny.edu or 814-332-2749.

These events, which are free and open to the public, are part of Allegheny College’s Year of Meadville programming, a partnership between the college and the community that is focused on building a sustainable and just future. For more information, visit https://sites.allegheny.edu/yearofmeadville/our-local-economy/.