Founded in 1974, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a national research and policy organization working to bring about a vision of thriving, diverse, equitable communities. To reach this vision, we build local power to fight corporate control. ILSR works to enrich local economies, both rural and urban, by changing policy and promoting models that put communities in charge of their future. ILSR’s focus is in pivotal sectors such as energy, broadband, waste, and retail.