Small businesses are critical drivers of the US economy. Collectively, they employ one-third of the nation’s workforce - nearly 59 million Americans across the country. They create jobs, spark innovation, invest in neighborhoods, and increase America’s competitiveness globally. Read More

In recent years, shopping locally and buying from small businesses have been gaining popularity. Maybe you’ve already started to shop more consciously or thought about starting your own business, or maybe you already own one, and every year you hear about Small Business Week but aren’t quite sure what it ... Read More

Through more than two decades of research and practice, ICIC has recognized the importance of small businesses in growing urban economies, revitalizing inner city neighborhoods and creating jobs and wealth for inner city residents. Encouragingly, small businesses continue to grow and hire new employees across the U.S. Read More

Three Brothers Bakery has deep roots. Before it was a “Houston institution,” employing 65 people at 3 locations in one of America’s most diverse cities, it was a small bakery run by the Jucker family in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Poland. When World War II spread throughout Europe, the family was sent to Nazi concentration camps. On May 8, 1945, Sigmund Jucker woke to find that the camp’s SS soldiers had fled. He cut through the surrounding wire fence, leading himself and the other prisoners to freedom. Read More

For over two decades, urban businesses have been the primary vehicle to achieve ICIC’s mission on the ground. Read More