FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(West Bloomfield, MI – May 2023) As an organization with more than a 100-Year History, the Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA) has deep roots in the small business industry.
As the “Voice for the food, beverage and petroleum industry” since 1910, MIRA is a multi-state trade association representing thousands of retailers operating in Michigan, Ohio, and surrounding states. “Our members include independent supermarkets, convenience stores, petroleum retailers, service stations, specialty food markets as well as wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers who support the retail industry,” said Bill Wild, president and CEO of MIRA. “Our small business owners are very much part of the fabric of each community they serve. Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors to economic and social relationships, as well as contributing to local causes.”
Bobby Hesano is a long-time member and current chair of the MIRA board. He grew up in a family of small business owners. His uncles first came to the United States in 1926 from Iraq. The family quickly ventured into the food retail business, eventually owning several retail stores in Detroit. In 1984, Hesano earned his bachelor’s degree in business in the Food Marketing and Logistics Program from Western Michigan University. In 1992, he and his brother Danny started D & B Grocers: Wholesale & Distributors.
“Historically, our MIRA small business owners know their customers by name,” said Hesano. “They know generations within a family. They know the local pastor of the church and the community groups and block clubs. They are very much embedded into the community in which they serve.”
Small businesses are an important economic engine for both local communities and the national economy. A widely cited 2019 report from the U.S. Small Business Administration found that small businesses generated 44% of all economic activity in the country.
The latest statistics show that there are 33.2 million small businesses in the US, which account for 99.9 percent of all US businesses (SBA, 2022). The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as a firm that has fewer than 500 employees.
Small businesses are the country’s main job creators because they are often growing and looking for new markets to expand. To do so, they need additional employees along the way.
MIRA is recognized as a leader in government and industry relations and closely monitors proposed state and federal legislation and how it will affect member retail businesses. “We have our pulse on the needs of the small business owners. Any proposed legislation that will have an adverse impact on food, beverage and petroleum retailers is met with MIRA’s strong lobbying efforts. Any positive proposed legislation is supported and advocated,” said Wild. “As an association, we address issues allowing our members to focus on serving their customer.”
MIRA has made it a priority to help state retailers work to comply with all state, federal and local regulations. “MIRA has worked extremely hard to establish a rapport with the departments and agencies with which state retailers communicate on a regular basis,” said Wild. “Acting as a liaison to these departments and agencies, MIRA can often find the answers to retailer questions and conversely help to educate retailers on guidelines and regulations that affect them.”
MIRA maintains its Executive Offices in West Bloomfield, Michigan and offices in New Albany, Ohio.
Media Contact: Vanessa Denha Garmo, 248.830.8605.
