2025 House Resolution 133

Whereas, The Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA) serves as the premier trade association representing independent retailers throughout the Midwest; and

Whereas, MIRA was formed in 1910 as the Detroit Retail Meat Merchants by a handful of retailers with common business concerns; and

Whereas, Membership grew to other retail industries including convenience stores, petroleum stations and automobile service stations, leading to the adoption of the name Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers and later, through a series of mergers with similar retail-based trade organizations in Michigan and Ohio, the adoption of the name Midwest Independent Retailers Association in 2019, and

Whereas, MIRA now represents thousands of members in a variety of retail and wholesale industries in multiple states throughout the Midwest; and

Whereas, MIRA’s commitment to its seven pillars of service – business, government relations, vendor programs, compliance, networking, community outreach and the Midwest Independent Retailers Foundation, whose mission is to give back to local communities and students through its scholarship program – serve as the guiding principles by which the association advances interests of small, independent businesses throughout the Midwest; and

Whereas, MIRA’s members serve as an anchor in many communities, providing goods and services where big box stores do not exist, employing local residents, generating local and state tax revenue, and raising their families within these communities; and

Whereas, In 2025 MIRA is celebrating its 115th anniversary; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the 115th anniversary of the Midwest Independent Retailers Association.