Local Return
@localreturn.bsky.social
Building community wealth in Rhode Island through ownership and investment, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced historical disinvestment. We just launched RI's first community investment fund at @investRI.bsky.social. LocalReturn.org
"Community ownership shifts governance and stewardship of resources—including capital—from the investor to the community that is most affected by an investment, and in doing so, generates positive economic, social and environmental impacts for that same community."
The Business Case for Community Ownership: A Framework for Shared Prosperity
Get exclusive early access to our reportand stay updated on launch news.
www.ownershipforsharedprosperity.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:03 PM
"Community ownership shifts governance and stewardship of resources—including capital—from the investor to the community that is most affected by an investment, and in doing so, generates positive economic, social and environmental impacts for that same community."
This is a great week to pick up your copy of Making Democracy Fun by Josh A. Lerner, so you can join our book club on March 24! Sign up at the link in our bio. Find it at a local library or a local, independent bookstore. localreturn.org/events/?even...
February 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
This is a great week to pick up your copy of Making Democracy Fun by Josh A. Lerner, so you can join our book club on March 24! Sign up at the link in our bio. Find it at a local library or a local, independent bookstore. localreturn.org/events/?even...
The word of the year/moment is: hyperlocal. (Artwork by @katvellos.bsky.social.)
January 30, 2026 at 2:25 PM
The word of the year/moment is: hyperlocal. (Artwork by @katvellos.bsky.social.)
We’re so proud to see so many small Rhode Island businesses being thoughtful and generous with their choices during tomorrow’s general strike. We vote with every dollar we spend.
January 30, 2026 at 3:14 AM
We’re so proud to see so many small Rhode Island businesses being thoughtful and generous with their choices during tomorrow’s general strike. We vote with every dollar we spend.
Choose community, in as many ways as possible.
January 28, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Choose community, in as many ways as possible.
Fight the credit card monopoly. Pay cash whenever you can. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...
January 25, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Fight the credit card monopoly. Pay cash whenever you can. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...
Nationally, small businesses say that swipe fees are their second highest expense (after payroll). What say you, Rhode Island business owners?
![On red background, white text reads:
Business owners, what would lower swipe fees help you do?
[ ] Have more competitive prices
[ ] Make better expense projections
[ ] Hire another employee
[ ] Provide better benefits for your employees
[ ] Invest back into your business
[ ] Provide more philanthropic support in your community
DM us or email jessica @ localreturn.org](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wbdqkq5iciudd62htuoym2vv/bafkreigbisvr7eohtmvlgvax72xdczvehv3zd5w4htk2llk55yugybubj4@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Nationally, small businesses say that swipe fees are their second highest expense (after payroll). What say you, Rhode Island business owners?
Credit card swipe fees raise costs for small businesses and consumers. But they're awfully good for Visa and Mastercard (to the tune of $111.2 billion). Guess that's why they keep raising them. Support the Credit Card Competition Act. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...
January 21, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Credit card swipe fees raise costs for small businesses and consumers. But they're awfully good for Visa and Mastercard (to the tune of $111.2 billion). Guess that's why they keep raising them. Support the Credit Card Competition Act. localreturn.org/visa-is-rais...
Reposted by Local Return
I’m so proud to be an early investor in the RI Community Investment fund — to literally *invest* in our community!
Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Are you interested in learning more about the Local Return Diversified Community Investment Fund? Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 17, at 5:30-6:15 p.m. for an information session. localreturn.org/events/?even...
January 15, 2026 at 6:32 PM
I’m so proud to be an early investor in the RI Community Investment fund — to literally *invest* in our community!
Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Check it out 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
RI businesses! Are you frustrated by credit card swipe fees? Share your input so coalitions like Small Business Rising can advocate for more credit card competition. share.hsforms.com/1jjt5AHyBSuq...
January 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM
RI businesses! Are you frustrated by credit card swipe fees? Share your input so coalitions like Small Business Rising can advocate for more credit card competition. share.hsforms.com/1jjt5AHyBSuq...
Reposted by Local Return
Three best friends have brought a taste of Syria to Lincoln with Layali Café, a modern, “vibey” nighttime café and lounge that serves authentic, homemade Syrian small bites, sweets, and drinks. Read more: https://bit.ly/49Gbe5N
January 16, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Three best friends have brought a taste of Syria to Lincoln with Layali Café, a modern, “vibey” nighttime café and lounge that serves authentic, homemade Syrian small bites, sweets, and drinks. Read more: https://bit.ly/49Gbe5N
We've got a great new book club discussion coming up! How can we incorporate meaningful, productive, and engaging participation into public processes? Join us on March 24 to talk about Josh Lerner's Making Democracy Fun. localreturn.org/events/?even...
January 14, 2026 at 3:21 PM
We've got a great new book club discussion coming up! How can we incorporate meaningful, productive, and engaging participation into public processes? Join us on March 24 to talk about Josh Lerner's Making Democracy Fun. localreturn.org/events/?even...
We vote with our wallet.
January 12, 2026 at 4:54 PM
We vote with our wallet.
We joined our Small Business Rising partners to endorse the Fair Competition for Small Business Act, introduced in Congress by @booker.senate.gov and @repmaxinewaters.bsky.social. The bill will invigorate state-level antitrust enforcement to ensure fair pricing for small and independent businesses.
January 8, 2026 at 9:15 PM
We joined our Small Business Rising partners to endorse the Fair Competition for Small Business Act, introduced in Congress by @booker.senate.gov and @repmaxinewaters.bsky.social. The bill will invigorate state-level antitrust enforcement to ensure fair pricing for small and independent businesses.
Do you want to shift the economic paradigm in Rhode Island? Join our Public Awareness Committee. Our next meeting is Friday, Jan. 9, 12 noon, via zoom.
January 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Do you want to shift the economic paradigm in Rhode Island? Join our Public Awareness Committee. Our next meeting is Friday, Jan. 9, 12 noon, via zoom.
What will you grow in 2026? We're cultivating an ecosystem for community wealth, a fertile ground where ownership and investment can thrive. Join us.
January 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
What will you grow in 2026? We're cultivating an ecosystem for community wealth, a fertile ground where ownership and investment can thrive. Join us.
Support for local businesses doesn't have to end with the holidays. Make it a habit for 2026 to choose local, independently-owned businesses first.
December 31, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Support for local businesses doesn't have to end with the holidays. Make it a habit for 2026 to choose local, independently-owned businesses first.
It is possible! Your tax-deductible gift helps make it real. We are grateful to you. localreturn.org/connect/
December 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
It is possible! Your tax-deductible gift helps make it real. We are grateful to you. localreturn.org/connect/
Three words: LOCAL GIFT CARDS.
December 24, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Three words: LOCAL GIFT CARDS.
The Jane Jacobs approach to local economies: "At the core of these robust and vital regional economies would be the capacity to meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of the people of the region from within the region, not in a spirit of isolationism but in a spirit of self-determination."
The Grace of Import Replacement - Schumacher Center for a New Economics
Jane Jacobs painted an image of regional economies in which myriad small industries produce for regional markets—small industries that depend on local materials, local labor, local capital, local…
centerforneweconomics.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The Jane Jacobs approach to local economies: "At the core of these robust and vital regional economies would be the capacity to meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of the people of the region from within the region, not in a spirit of isolationism but in a spirit of self-determination."
Any last minute shoppers out there? Local businesses are waiting for you.
December 22, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Any last minute shoppers out there? Local businesses are waiting for you.
If you like the work we do, join us as a recurring donor. For a volunteer-run organization like ours, your support makes a world of difference. localreturn.org/wont-you-be-...
December 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If you like the work we do, join us as a recurring donor. For a volunteer-run organization like ours, your support makes a world of difference. localreturn.org/wont-you-be-...
Reposted by Local Return
Our @jdinri.bsky.social with a wicked meaningful list for 2025. What would you have suggested?
🎁 Wicked meaningful R.I. gift ideas in a year of ‘fear and uncertainty.’ With suggestions from @jdinri.bsky.social and the Rev. George Ortiz of The Elisha Project.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/08/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/08/m...
🎁 Wicked meaningful R.I. gift ideas in a year of ‘fear and uncertainty’ - The Boston Globe
When giving this year, R.I. nonprofit leaders recommend paying local business in cash, giving a Rhode Island community supported agriculture subscription, and volunteering locally.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Our @jdinri.bsky.social with a wicked meaningful list for 2025. What would you have suggested?
Aren’t we lucky to live in a place where this is so easy? Support your local independents AND give the best gifts!
December 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Aren’t we lucky to live in a place where this is so easy? Support your local independents AND give the best gifts!
Susan Mills of RI's Mills Coffee via @thepvdeye.bsky.social "People who work here have worked here for many years because they’re all like family. Coffee is both a supply chain and a village."
Senator Reed Talks Trump Tariffs and the Spiraling Costs of Coffee - The Providence Eye
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Steve Ahlquist’s Substack on November 14. Reprinted with permission. On Friday, United States Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) visited the great-smell...
pvdeye.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Susan Mills of RI's Mills Coffee via @thepvdeye.bsky.social "People who work here have worked here for many years because they’re all like family. Coffee is both a supply chain and a village."