85% of businesses include video as part of their marketing plan, and Full Swing Studios is there to serve that need.
“Many times organizations and business owners think videography is beyond reach,” says co-owner Angela Hughey. “What’s important to Full Swing Studios is we’re creating high quality and highly produced opportunities at affordable pricing. That’s part of our secret sauce. It’s something that can be attainable regardless of budget.”
Supporting Small Businesses
A lo largo de una década, el viaje de Berni como empresario ha sido una montaña rusa de altibajos, pero también de logros significativos. Colados Coffee Inc. ha pasado de ser una sola ubicación a tres, con alrededor de 60 empleados que forman parte de la familia Colados.
Berni y su familia están orgullosos de haber creado un negocio próspero..…
85% of businesses include video as part of their marketing plan, and Full Swing Studios is there to serve that need.
“Many times organizations and business owners think videography is beyond reach,” says co-owner Angela Hughey. “What’s important to Full Swing Studios is we’re creating high quality and highly produced opportunities at affordable pricing. That’s part of our secret sauce. It’s something that can be attainable regardless of budget.”
A 2022 survey by payroll provider Gusto found that only 6% of Black new business owners receive the business loans they seek. Jessica Baker, who owns Vibe Spot and Pink Sky Productions, learned first-hand how to boost her chances.
A Tucson tech company called HorizonMind is creating a virtual reality application for mental health.
From tees to beanies to bags, there’s a good chance you’ve admired something printed by Goodfellas Merch.
What began as a cool side hustle dreamed up in a punk-themed piercing outlet has grown into Goodfellas Merch, a full-scale screen printing facility in Glendale and longtime member of Local First Arizona.
The TimberTote, a wooden purse handcrafted by two Tucson creatives with ornate carving and a riot of colors, is building a fashion following. Of course, a University of Arizona Wildcats-themed style is popular in Baja Arizona. “It’s fun and whimsical. People just love it.”
You could save nearly $900 on your taxes this year, just by making a donation to support Local First Arizona. Find out how.
For just $20 per month, Tucson homeowners can have their and their neighbors’ properties mowed and cleaned by Barrio Restoration, a small business in Tucson providing affordable landscaping and street beautification.
“We’re creating respect in the hood by keeping it clean,” said founder David Garcia. “We're taking back the streets and taking ownership again.”
“It's all about reinvesting, building relationships and building a stronger community.”
Mindfulness exercises like deep breathing, guided movement and pausing to notice one’s emotions are leading to better focus and less stress for thousands of Arizona students and teachers through classes taught by Mindfulness First.
The classes were at risk of going away until Local First Arizona helped the nonprofit find new funding.
Dive into our newest blog where we highlight three standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.
The Arizona laundromat Social Spin is a warm and inviting gathering place that provides free services once a week to those in need.
A $1.5 million federal grant to fund free laundry, haircuts and meals, plus a low-interest loan to purchase a low-pollution van, are keeping the laundromat spinning.
Can opening your own business help America close the racial wealth gap and make the economy more fair? Research shows Black people own less than 3% of businesses despite making up 14% of the population.
Local First Arizona’s We Rise program is helping Black business owners launch, grow and thrive. Two We Rise mentors weigh in about supporting the Black entrepreneur community.
Do you know which Arizona city has the largest Black community per capita in the state? The answer may surprise you. But business leader Demetry Simonton says it’s leading the way in Black entrepreneurship.
If you’re a last-minute shopper, here are holiday gifts you can find in a hurry at Tucson retailers.
Whether you call it luck or divine intervention, these two restaurant owners in Douglas were able to help each other out of a crisis thanks to guidance from Startup Unidos and a stroke of serendipity.
More than 20 volunteers joined Local First Arizona for a neighborhood cleanup in Sunnyslope.
In a region that grows as quickly as the Valley, construction has a considerable environmental impact.
But some architectural firms are focused on minimizing waste, lowering carbon emissions and making sustainability a selling point.
Meet two Local First Arizona members making architecture more sustainable.
Every season is perfect for a northern Arizona road trip.
When an overnight stay is in the cards, these charming escapes give travelers a locally owned experience at a higher elevation.
We asked three of our “Localists” to tell us their favorite books — from Arizona history to entrepreneurship to locally based authors.
To buy one for yourself or a holiday gift, purchase from a locally owned bookstore! Find one near you with the Local First Arizona Business Directory.
Do you purchase products or services for your company?
With Source AZ, we’ll find you the right match from 1,400+ qualified local vendors with specialties including office supplies, insurance, printing and more to save you money and keep your dollars local.
From shutting down during the pandemic to becoming the first Nepali restaurant to serve at the Super Bowl, Mr. Momo is no stranger to reinvention. “If you have to pivot or take a pause, there’s no shame in doing that,” says owner Subash Yavad. “I sometimes question myself. Is it worth the struggle? Am I doing the right thing? But I am — because I chose to follow my passion.”
At the beginning, Local First Arizona had its share of doubters. An ASU economist said it was a “nice idea unlikely to succeed.”
Well, 20 years and millions of dollars in economic impact later, we’re still going strong.
Gov. Katie Hobbs declared Nov. 4 "Local First Arizona Day" in recognition of our 20 years of service to the state!
We’re honored and grateful to everyone who loves local. Come celebrate with us on Saturday!
Blake Martin, a University of Arizona senior, built his first company out of Startup Tucson’s prototyping lab, creating custom specialty lighting for pool tables. Now he’s ready to roll.
Kick off your holiday shopping and find unique gifts for loved ones all in one place from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 1 at Merry Mercado, Local First Arizona’s newest event.
Meet three of the local vendors you can look forward to…
The Tempe Compost Pilot puts locally-owned restaurants in the driver’s seat to turn food scraps into farmland.
As a woman who grew up on the Navajo reservation, Jordanna Saunders has a unique understanding of the emotional, economic and health-related challenges many Native Americans encounter.
It’s why her Goodyear practice, Trauma Recovery Services of Arizona, is an attractive option for Indigenous patients.
“(My patients) feeling better and functioning better, that’s what keeps me doing it — seeing them succeed.”
Tempe businesses are saving money and reducing their environmental impact through Local First Arizona’s Green Business Boot Camp.
In a world dominated by e-commerce giants and mass-produced goods, it can be challenging for consumers to find unique, locally-made products while still supporting their community. However, with Local First's online marketplace, Shop Local First, Arizona residents and visitors have a powerful tool at their fingertips to conveniently browse and purchase gifts from a wide range of locally-owned businesses
Arizona is more than just a state on the map; It’s a community woven together by culture, diversity and local businesses that drive our economy. At its heart, this state pulses with the dreams and ambitions of its residents. Behind every Arizona-based product, dish, or service lies the heart and soul of a passionate local entrepreneur. By supporting these entrepreneurs and their businesses, we strengthen the very core of Arizona.
Enterprise Development
A lo largo de una década, el viaje de Berni como empresario ha sido una montaña rusa de altibajos, pero también de logros significativos. Colados Coffee Inc. ha pasado de ser una sola ubicación a tres, con alrededor de 60 empleados que forman parte de la familia Colados.
Berni y su familia están orgullosos de haber creado un negocio próspero..…
A 2022 survey by payroll provider Gusto found that only 6% of Black new business owners receive the business loans they seek. Jessica Baker, who owns Vibe Spot and Pink Sky Productions, learned first-hand how to boost her chances.
Flor Vianey Vargas, una mujer emprendedora, ha trazado su camino desde sus raíces en Sinaloa, México, hasta convertirse en una exitosa empresaria en Phoenix.
Con una formación académica en sistemas computacionales y una carrera destacada en el periodismo radiofónico por más de 20 años, Flor siempre ha sido una líder dedicada y apasionada.
Eighteen entrepreneurs graduated from Local First Arizona’s We Rise Business Accelerator in January.
From art and fashion to health care and greeting cards to fitness and pet sitting, this cohort of graduates offered an array of goods and services for Arizona residents to enjoy.
Born in Zamora, Michoacán, but raised in Glendale, Arizona; with an overflowing passion for his two children and cooking, he began as a dishwasher at a restaurant while pursuing his dream of earning an engineering degree. After being promoted to pantry cook, he discovered his love for cooking, immersing himself in a journey of learning and experience in the culinary world. With dedication and effort, Eduardo earned the title of chef.
Can opening your own business help America close the racial wealth gap and make the economy more fair? Research shows Black people own less than 3% of businesses despite making up 14% of the population.
Local First Arizona’s We Rise program is helping Black business owners launch, grow and thrive. Two We Rise mentors weigh in about supporting the Black entrepreneur community.
Do you know which Arizona city has the largest Black community per capita in the state? The answer may surprise you. But business leader Demetry Simonton says it’s leading the way in Black entrepreneurship.
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
Gov. Katie Hobbs declared Nov. 4 "Local First Arizona Day" in recognition of our 20 years of service to the state!
We’re honored and grateful to everyone who loves local. Come celebrate with us on Saturday!
El Festival de Otoño de Arizona es una celebración comunitaria y gratuita donde asisten más de 15,000 personas en busca de ambiente familiar y entretenimiento en vivo.
Te invitamos conocer y apoyar a los negocios locales de Fuerza Local que participaran en esta 17 edición de Arizona Fall Festival!
Business owners in Sedona, Cottonwood and surrounding Verde Valley cities are growing their products and services after graduating from Local First Arizona’s six-month Spanish-language business accelerator, Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocios.
Meet these 10 northern Arizona entrepreneurs.
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
Tina Santos dejó atrás su amado país México, llena de ilusiones para triunfar en un país totalmente nuevo, sin familia donde apoyarse y sin tener dominio del idioma inglés. Cuenta orgullosamente que trabajó muy duro porque no podía regresar a su país derrotada, pero sus deseos de…..
In a world dominated by e-commerce giants and mass-produced goods, it can be challenging for consumers to find unique, locally-made products while still supporting their community. However, with Local First's online marketplace, Shop Local First, Arizona residents and visitors have a powerful tool at their fingertips to conveniently browse and purchase gifts from a wide range of locally-owned businesses
Arizona is more than just a state on the map; It’s a community woven together by culture, diversity and local businesses that drive our economy. At its heart, this state pulses with the dreams and ambitions of its residents. Behind every Arizona-based product, dish, or service lies the heart and soul of a passionate local entrepreneur. By supporting these entrepreneurs and their businesses, we strengthen the very core of Arizona.
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
Five women food entrepreneurs will dazzle the tastebuds of a lucky few at Dining For Dreams on Sept. 28.
The intimate evening of camaraderie and conversation features a three-course dinner catered by graduates of Local First Arizona’s business accelerator programs. Get your tickets now!
As Black Business Month concludes, it's crucial to recognize that ongoing support from the local community is vital for entrepreneurs, to thrive year-round.
While Black-owned businesses are on the rise in Tucson and across the U.S., they still constitute only 3% of all businesses nationwide. Moreover, Black business owners typically begin with significantly less access to capital compared to their White counterparts—nearly a third less, as per industry standards.
We talked with two Tucson entrepreneurs from the Black business community. We explored the challenges of business ownership, ways the community can offer support, and the inspirations behind their entrepreneurial journeys.
Black business ownership is on the rise. In celebration of National Black Business Month, we spotlight a new cooperative marketplace that recently opened in Phoenix to support Black-owned businesses.
Seeing a “Small Wonders” map, the pocket-size guides to independent businesses and tourist attractions around the state by Local First Arizona, was the genesis for Scottsdale marketing agency Ideas Collide lending its support.
Local First, like the agency, was “small and mighty and impactful,” said co-founder Matt Clyde. ”We love seeing small businesses thrive.”
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
Less than a year and a half after Charlotte Bowens experienced a health scare, she was crossing the finish line of a 50-mile race, setting things in motion for Conscious Gear, a brand of outdoor wear she founded to accommodate larger bodies.
“There’s plenty of us at the back of the pack who are fat, and we buy this gear that a lot of the time doesn’t fit us,” Bowens said. “I felt called to just maybe try.”
Jorge Diaz was ready to close his online shop that sells handmade jewelry, clutches and wallets until he connected with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which helped him relaunch.
Diaz is one of more than 6,000 small business owners in less than two years who have received advice and training at no cost from a coalition of organizations led by Local First Arizona that supports entrepreneurs across the state.
Making higher education accessible to all Arizonans is the goal of three business owners who recently graduated from We Rise, Local First Arizona’s Black-owned business accelerator.
First Things First fosters school readiness and healthy development for children from birth to age 5. Through strategic investments in state and local programs, they ensure that children are well-prepared for success from the moment they step into their kindergarten classrooms.
By supporting local bookstores, you're not only enriching your reading experience but also nurturing the ecosystem within your community. These cherished establishments provide vital spaces for authors, artists, and readers to connect and thrive. They foster a love for literature, nurture emerging voices, and ensure that the magic of storytelling continues to inspire generations to come.
¡Celebremos juntos el 10 Aniversario de Fuerza Local y la Graduación de la 20° y 3° Generación del Acelerador de Negocios!
Un maravilloso evento está por llegar para nuestros alumnos después de 6 meses de dedicación, compromiso y aprendizaje: ¡La Graduación de 71 Empresarios del Programa Acelerador de Negocios de Fuerza Local!
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.
Para conocer la Historia de nuestro próximo miembro del mes, debemos hacer un acercamiento a la historia de 2 empresarios graduados de la 17ª Generación del Programa Acelerador de Negocios de Fuerza Local que dieron vida, forma y alma a Juanderful Tacos LLC.
Environmental Action
Federal funding will help finance a major solar installation on the Cocopah Indian reservation, saving the tribe millions. The solar panels will generate 90% of the energy needs for the tribe’s events and entertainment complex. Money saved will be reinvested into programs to benefit the community.
FilterClean, a Local First Arizona Certified Green Business, is now offering mobile pick-up and drop-off services to reach its goal of saving Valley pool owners as much as 2 billion gallons of water each year. Here’s how.
A rural Arizona inn found a way to install solar panels affordably and save $10,000 a year on energy bills with help from a federal grant and tax credits.
“One day, $32,000 appeared in our checking account, and we were like, ‘Whoa it’s time to celebrate!’” Pines Inn and Suites owner Anna May Cory said. “For us, that was quite impressive.”
The funding was made possibIe through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
The Arizona laundromat Social Spin is a warm and inviting gathering place that provides free services once a week to those in need.
A $1.5 million federal grant to fund free laundry, haircuts and meals, plus a low-interest loan to purchase a low-pollution van, are keeping the laundromat spinning.
More than 20 volunteers joined Local First Arizona for a neighborhood cleanup in Sunnyslope.
Every season is perfect for a northern Arizona road trip.
When an overnight stay is in the cards, these charming escapes give travelers a locally owned experience at a higher elevation.
From shutting down during the pandemic to becoming the first Nepali restaurant to serve at the Super Bowl, Mr. Momo is no stranger to reinvention. “If you have to pivot or take a pause, there’s no shame in doing that,” says owner Subash Yavad. “I sometimes question myself. Is it worth the struggle? Am I doing the right thing? But I am — because I chose to follow my passion.”
The Tempe Compost Pilot puts locally-owned restaurants in the driver’s seat to turn food scraps into farmland.
The late afternoon sun in August was unforgiving as they dug through the waste. Once everything was finally sorted there was 70 pounds of recycling, 56 pounds of compost, and 81.5 pounds of landfill waste, for a final diversion rate of…
Tempe businesses are saving money and reducing their environmental impact through Local First Arizona’s Green Business Boot Camp.
When Arizona’s weather turns cool, it’s time to enjoy the fresh air, spruce up at home and prepare to get cozy.
From tobacco-and-clove scented candles to elderberry immune-boosting tonics to botanical bath bombs, Kaya Holistic has all the eco-friendly, handcrafted products you need to fall for fall.
A group of 6 businesses and community partners met on March 17th to present their sustainable projects and graduate from the first-ever Verde Valley Green Business Bootcamp Cohort!
On May 31st, something transformational was cooking at Mundo Grill, a restaurant located along the light rail on Apache Boulevard in Tempe. A diverse group of 20 business owners, residents, food producers, and businesses support experts along with Tempe city staff and officials banded together to launch the Tempe Circular Economy Pilot, putting restaurants in the driver’s seat to put an end to food going into the landfill while saving on costs and regenerating Arizona’s environment & food system.
A Tucson favorite that's been serving up homemade frozen yogurt for over 25 years has gone Green by becoming Arizona Green Business Certified. Frozen Delight owners Cleo & Jose Terrazas pride themselves on opening one of the first frozen yogurt shops in Tucson, and now they are one of the first to implement innovative solutions that make the business more sustainable.
Arizona homeowners can enjoy a lush yard without high water bills. Professional photographer Martha Retallick chronicles the creation of her rainwater-fed desert oasis in a new book, “City Nature.”
A group of 6 businesses and community partners met on March 17th to present their sustainable projects and graduate from the first-ever Verde Valley Green Business Bootcamp Cohort!
7 Businesses and nonprofits from Maricopa County and southern Arizona recently graduated from Local First Arizona’s Green Business Boot Camp, launching projects that will realize cost-savings and conservation of limited natural resources.
From May to July 2023, Local First Arizona will work with Tucson retailers to solve one environmental challenge ― moving beyond the plastic retail bag.
The Bring Your Own Bag pilot will debut in two American cities, Tucson and Denver, as part of a larger “Beyond the Bag” initiative.
The goal is simple ― to enable a broader cultural shift towards shoppers bringing their own bags from home.
The Heart & Soil People’s Garden in South Phoenix is part of a movement to replace food deserts with thriving urban farms on previously vacant and underutilized land.
Let’s celebrate entrepreneurs who are future-proofing their business while building their neighborhoods and communities’ resilience by participating in Cohort 10 of SCALE UP!! 6 business owners learned new strategies to realize significant cost savings by making their business operations more sustainable.
Arizona tribal nations will soon begin investing more than $5 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize their electrical grids and prevent outages.
Tribes and rural communities can receive free help from Local First Arizona to apply for millions of additional dollars available under the law.
We are excited to announce Drink Me Tea Room, No Harm No Cow, Downtown Tempe Authority, and Sole Sports Running Zone as the latest businesses to become certified. Read on to learn about who they are and how supporting these businesses supports a vibrant and sustainable economy in Arizona
Recent reports show that two-thirds of travelers want to support their destination’s recovery and see their money go back into the local communities they visit. Local First Arizona (LFA) and Visit Tucson are making it easier than ever before.
We plan to celebrate the upcoming Fall Fest this November 5th by upping our sustainability game. With our love for our home state comes the responsibility to ensure it is protected for generations to come. Find out how you can help us put environmental sustainability at the forefront for this event!
Literacy Connects has served the Tucson community for 11 years, providing a place where anyone can learn, create, and access opportunities. As part of their vision, they emphasize the value of transformational learning and collaborative relationships and understand the interconnectedness of community and environmental wellbeing, as evidenced by their recent hosting of two Tucson Climate Action & Adaptation Plan Community Dialogues in partnership with Living Streets Alliance, the City of Tucson, and Local First Arizona. Read on to learn more about how these collaborative, nuanced conversations went.
In 2022, it's more important than ever to invest in local self-reliance, ensuring Arizonans thrive for years to come. The businesses who have graduated in the 9th cohort of SCALE UP are clearing the path ahead! Join us in celebrating and congratulating these businesses and their innovative sustainability projects.
Calling local businesses: do you have a community or sustainability project in mind? We can connect you to experts and resources to help you get started. The next cohort of SCALE UP begins August 23, 2022!
Good Food
Heartquist Hollow Farms received a $200,000 federal grant with help from Local First Arizona to renovate a slaughterhouse, hire locally from small towns in eastern Arizona and implement humane butchering practices.
“We’ve brought jobs that weren’t there before,” Scott Heartquist said. “The capacity we’ve been pushing is huge.”
Gov. Katie Hobbs declared Nov. 4 "Local First Arizona Day" in recognition of our 20 years of service to the state!
We’re honored and grateful to everyone who loves local. Come celebrate with us on Saturday!
It’s not every day that a company takes a potential competitor under its wing. But Local First Arizona members Dillinger Brewing Company and Brillé Mead Company are proof that symbiosis in business can be successful. The owners agree: Tucson is just that kind of collaborative place.
When John Benedict drove from Philadelphia to rural southern Arizona in a van he bought for $1,000, he had no intention of becoming a farmer. He just knew he wanted to leave city life behind.
Now Benedict owns Desert Sky Produce, cultivating organic beets, carrots, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage and more, thanks in part to a zero-interest loan for entrepreneurs of color from Community Investment Corporation.
How would you like a two-night staycation at the hip retro Hotel McCoy in Tucson, tickets to Weezer or a free pottery class? All these prizes and more are available to win during Indie Week by supporting local businesses June 24-July 4.
Bagel Daddies is off and running — and selling out before closing — after spending just one year in Local First Arizona’s Food Business Incubator Program at its South Phoenix Community Kitchen.
From selling 50 tamales on the first day they opened to 10 million a year now, the owners of Tucson Tamale Company say one key to success was choosing a local bank.
“The decision-makers are local, and they are invested in our success.”
A panel of top food critics and journalists from around the country personally tasted 70 dishes and beverages at the 2023 Devour Culinary Classic, scoring on taste, presentation, degree of difficulty and creativity. A new award, the Heritage Medal, recognized the best dishes with indigenous, heirloom, locally sourced or desert-adapted ingredients.
The Heart & Soil People’s Garden in South Phoenix is part of a movement to replace food deserts with thriving urban farms on previously vacant and underutilized land.
Adela Nevarez dreamed of turning her lifelong love of baking into a business. With a little help from Local First Arizona, the Mesa grandmother’s Wicked Mix Cookie Company is quickly findings fans.
It’s finally Devour season! Devour is definitely one of our favorite events – what can we say, we love food. To keep everyone safe, Devour will be an at-home experience this year but it’s still one of the best ways to try out some new local restaurants. In 2022, Devour will be graced by the presence of some of our regulars, but we’d also like to introduce some of the fresh faces joining Devour for the first time!
Food and farming are more than just growing and selling produce; the fall film series addresses how Arizona farms are helping families and overcoming injustice in the system.
The town of Camp Verde and Local First Arizona have partnered together to launch a regional agricultural brand called ‘Verde Grown’. Verde Grown is a celebration of the hard-working communities that have stayed connected to their agricultural roots and who act as stewards of the Verde River. Support of Verde Grown producers and products strengthens the resiliency, sustainability, and economic vitality of the Verde Valley region and Central Arizona.
Are edible landscapes and trees the answer to Arizona’s rising climate crisis? How do we address shrinking farmland? How are farms helping food banks? These are the important questions that propel the Spring Good Food Film Series. Produced by Local First Arizona’s Good Food Finder, the film series features monthly, independent short film releases devoted to telling the most urgent and inspiring stories of Arizona's local food system through February 2022.
February 14th is not only Valentine’s day — it’s Arizona’s birthday! This year, Arizona is turning 109! To celebrate our great state, we asked our team members to share some of their favorite things about state 48.
If you’ve been following the GLOCULL Pilot Project Series, you are familiar with the innovative stories of farmland, sustainable business, and indigenous foods projects, but you might be wondering what’s next for GLOCULL partners at ASU’s School of Sustainability and School for the Future of Innovation in Society, City of Phoenix, and City of Tempe. We turned our focus toward what policy work needs to be done and where small businesses, food producers, and advocates can focus their efforts in 2021.
Blue Sky Organic Farms, in Litchfield Park, is the epitome of a community farm. Farmer David Vose has been growing food organically for decades, and has a wealth of experience in desert farming. His partner, Sara Dolan, runs a farmstand on the property that is loaded with their produce and other locally made food products, attends the Downtown Phoenix, Uptown Phoenix, Roadrunner Park, Old Town Scottsdale, and Gilbert Farmers Markets every week, operates a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with 600 families participating and supplies produce to restaurants and kitchens.
Devour at Home is fast approaching! An intimate food festival in your own home and with your own rules, Devour at Home is an event you do not want to miss! When you purchase your pre-order meal you can look forward to over 20 of the valley's best chefs creating a three-course meal for four, Devour keepsakes, contests with grand prizes and virtual experiences with the chefs. We want to make sure you’re totally prepared for this exciting food event; check out the rest of this guide for what to expect.
Local First Arizona recently introduced an ongoing series about GLOCULL Pilot Projects, a series of projects aimed at moving the needle toward a thriving local and sustainable food economy with both local and global support. With ongoing partnerships with ASU’s School of Sustainability and School for the Future of Innovation in Society, City of Phoenix, and City of Tempe, we will continue to explore these innovative projects. The first project was a Coalition of Farmland Preservation.
Food Systems sit at the intersection of water, energy, and food—we need each of these components to produce the other components- they are interdependent industries. Diving into this Food-Water-Energy (FWE) nexus to address social, environmental, and economic issues, while ensuring there is enough healthy and affordable food to feed our community, is a complex endeavor.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that supporting local is one of the most important things we can do to help keep dollars in our home and build a stronger Arizona economy. And guess what? Shopping local doesn’t have to totally change your routine. There are plenty of local products that are sold at the sometimes more accessible chain grocery stores and supermarkets. Check out this guide to some of our favorite foods and goodies that you can find in the store you visit every week.
Rural Arizona
Federal funding will help finance a major solar installation on the Cocopah Indian reservation, saving the tribe millions. The solar panels will generate 90% of the energy needs for the tribe’s events and entertainment complex. Money saved will be reinvested into programs to benefit the community.
A rural Arizona inn found a way to install solar panels affordably and save $10,000 a year on energy bills with help from a federal grant and tax credits.
“One day, $32,000 appeared in our checking account, and we were like, ‘Whoa it’s time to celebrate!’” Pines Inn and Suites owner Anna May Cory said. “For us, that was quite impressive.”
The funding was made possibIe through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
Affordable housing is a challenge for low- and middle-income families in Patagonia, a beautiful Sonoran desert town near the Mexican border. One nonprofit is trying to change that. A $25,000 federal grant has tripled the number of home renovations Community Homes of Patagonia can do. Residents call the help “life-changing.”
Heartquist Hollow Farms received a $200,000 federal grant with help from Local First Arizona to renovate a slaughterhouse, hire locally from small towns in eastern Arizona and implement humane butchering practices.
“We’ve brought jobs that weren’t there before,” Scott Heartquist said. “The capacity we’ve been pushing is huge.”
Here’s the best way to explore Page and Holbrook, two of Arizona’s most captivating destinations, where you can discover ancient rocks, kayak a prehistoric river and take in Native dancing.
Creek Valley Health Clinic is meeting urgent health care needs in an overlooked community with help from Local First Arizona and the American Rescue Plan Act.
Telemedicine, made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and help from Local First Arizona, is helping Pinal County residents receive better health care.
Do you know which Arizona city has the largest Black community per capita in the state? The answer may surprise you. But business leader Demetry Simonton says it’s leading the way in Black entrepreneurship.
Whether you call it luck or divine intervention, these two restaurant owners in Douglas were able to help each other out of a crisis thanks to guidance from Startup Unidos and a stroke of serendipity.
A federal grant helped seniors in southern Arizona make much-needed safety repairs and energy-efficiency upgrades to their community center.
The result has been more residents participating in activities and a stronger community in the little mining town.
“It’s made an extremely large difference in my life,” one senior says.
Every season is perfect for a northern Arizona road trip.
When an overnight stay is in the cards, these charming escapes give travelers a locally owned experience at a higher elevation.
Gov. Katie Hobbs declared Nov. 4 "Local First Arizona Day" in recognition of our 20 years of service to the state!
We’re honored and grateful to everyone who loves local. Come celebrate with us on Saturday!
Business owners in Sedona, Cottonwood and surrounding Verde Valley cities are growing their products and services after graduating from Local First Arizona’s six-month Spanish-language business accelerator, Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocios.
Meet these 10 northern Arizona entrepreneurs.
A ramshackle historic building in downtown Winslow has been transformed by an artist and his wife into a vibrant and eclectic live-work gallery space — a hidden gem along Route 66.
The 22,000-square-foot building now known as Snowdrift Art Space offers the room he always dreamed of having as a young budding sculpturist.
As Black Business Month concludes, it's crucial to recognize that ongoing support from the local community is vital for entrepreneurs, to thrive year-round.
While Black-owned businesses are on the rise in Tucson and across the U.S., they still constitute only 3% of all businesses nationwide. Moreover, Black business owners typically begin with significantly less access to capital compared to their White counterparts—nearly a third less, as per industry standards.
We talked with two Tucson entrepreneurs from the Black business community. We explored the challenges of business ownership, ways the community can offer support, and the inspirations behind their entrepreneurial journeys.
Globe-Miami was bustling as more than 340 tribal and rural leaders flocked to the Copper Corridor for the Arizona Rural Policy Forum. Topics included affordable housing, farmer's markets, training skilled workers, attracting young people to small towns, finding grant funding and more.
An eager crowd of job seekers, students and companies converged recently for the Superior Career & Hiring Expo, organized by Local First Arizona and Career Connectors.
More than 3,400 people in remote Arizona communities will receive access to safe, clean drinking water for the first time through a partnership between Local First Arizona and a cutting-edge company that makes solar-powered, off-grid water systems.
Family is often a high priority in the Hispanic community, so it isn’t surprising that many recent graduates of Local First Arizona’s Spanish-language business accelerator are family members working together to elevate their entrepreneurial efforts.
Meet three members of the Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocio’s Verde Valley class navigating business ownership with family at their side.
Small towns across Arizona are facing a similar challenge: Young people are moving to larger cities, causing local jobs to remain vacant and the economic health of communities to struggle.
This February, Local First Arizona partnered with the Arizona Office of Tourism to organize a planned itinerary to showcase Lake Havasu’s greatest tourist attractions. WeekendZona attendees only needed to show up, mingle with their fellow travelers and be ready for adventure.
Although it’s good news that more Arizonans are employed than ever before, the demand for workers has been challenging for small businesses to keep up with, particularly in rural areas.
Local First is working with rural employers to understand their staffing needs, opportunities and challenges to find solutions.
Put the ‘far’ in ‘fa’ and the ‘local’ in ‘la’ this holiday season with rural shopping. When you spend $100 at a locally owned business, $43 stays in the local economy vs. just $13 when you shop elsewhere.
Arizona tribal nations will soon begin investing more than $5 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to modernize their electrical grids and prevent outages.
Tribes and rural communities can receive free help from Local First Arizona to apply for millions of additional dollars available under the law.
Don’t wait for customers to come to you, go to them … and then they’ll come. This marketing strategy paid off for #RuralAZ businesses, and their home communities, that got in on the 2022 Arizona Fall Fest action. You see, by expanding their outreach beyond their own cities and towns, local businesses’ efforts also benefit the broader community.
In partnership with the Arizona Office of Tourism, LFA organized a weekend full of unique experiences to showcase Wickenburg. From Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23 2022, two hosts from LFA led 10 guests through a weekend of local food, drinks, and activities unique to the area.
The only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States, America Recycles Day, held on and around November 15, educates and encourages individuals on:
Just one thing. One special thing worth seeing for yourself. Worth the extra miles. Worth the time. If a rural Arizona community has just one big thing that will attract visitors, it is an economic asset to use to the fullest extent. But if you know rural Arizona, you know a community always has far more than one special something.
Iconic rock band The Eagles gave Winslow an everlasting gift with one lyric that has attracted thousands of visitors to stand on the Route 66 corner made famous by a song. This gift of music continued developing the area’s identity along the lines of the arts, which have helped strengthen the community’s character and appeal far beyond any single attraction.
As the heart of Arizona wine country, the Cottonwood area boasts local wineries as well as tasting rooms for vineyards throughout the state like Pillsbury Wine Company. Weekendzona guests enjoyed two wine tastings and a tour of the Southwest Wine Center in Clarkdale, where they learned how students run the process from growing the grapes to bottling, naming and labeling the wines each season. For a unique dinner experience, guests were invited to Blazin’ M Ranch, a Western-themed frontier town where activities include bull riding, axe-throwing and a tractor pull before a live-music stage show over a barbecue dinner served chuck wagon style.
A higher percentage of Arizonans quit their jobs in March 2022 than almost anywhere in the nation. Whether this is due to employees making big personal decisions about life changes or the fact they have an abundance of available positions in our state to choose from, it’s clear that this is a job seeker’s market.
Press Releases
Six local business owners will compete in front of a live audience June 29 in Phoenix for $17,500 in seed money during the first We Rise Demo Day pitch competition.
Each competitor is a graduate of We Rise, Local First Arizona’s six-month, no-cost business boot camp for Black entrepreneurs. The six finalists were selected from a larger pool of graduates after submitting written pitches.
As Arizonans prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, Demo Day will showcase the skill, ingenuity and creativity of Arizona’s Black-owned businesses, while providing crucial seed funds to the most promising concepts.
Calling all rural and tribal leaders from across the state: It’s time for the most popular rural meetup of the year!
Join Local First Arizona and hundreds of changemakers for the 16th annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum, held this year at the historic Bullion Plaza in Miami, Ariz.
This sought-after conference attracts nearly 300 community leaders, so don’t wait to reserve your spot – both for the two-day forum and the add-on events in Globe and Miami where networking will go deep and participants will see firsthand why this part of the Copper Corridor is a special part of Arizona.
Young people between the ages of 16 and 24 from rural Arizona are wanted to give feedback about jobs, housing, educational and recreational opportunities in their communities and why they have stayed or moved away.
Small towns and cities are facing a similar challenge: Young people are moving to larger cities, causing local jobs to remain vacant and threatening the long-term viability of communities.
Local First Arizona is proud to announce the winners of the 14th annual Devour Culinary Classic, a showcase of Arizona’s top chefs hosted Feb. 25-26 at Desert Botanical Garden. The two-day event was the first in-person celebration since 2020.
Far from a typical business conference or networking event, the Arizona Good Business Summit is a meeting of the minds of the most dynamic, socially conscious, creative and forward-thinking leaders and businesspeople from Arizona and across the country. Attendees eager to form relationships and create lasting impact will be inspired to collaborate across industries and move conversations into action.
The summit features a wide variety of workshops, business trainings, panel discussions, networking opportunities and presentations from guests and keynote speakers, in addition to a walking tour of Mesa’s thriving business core.
An award-winning program that empowers locally owned businesses and nonprofits in Arizona to cut water, energy, waste and vehicle emissions while saving money is expanding to the Verde Valley in January.
SCALE UP (Sustainable Communities Accessing Lending and Expertise Upon Performance) is a comprehensive, 7-hour boot camp that teaches business owners and nonprofit leaders how to be more environmentally friendly while benefiting their bottom lines.
Forty-five Hispanic entrepreneurs from Maricopa County and 10 from Yavapai County are boosting the statewide economy as they prepare to graduate from Local First Arizona’s Spanish-language business accelerator Fuerza Local.
The startups from Cottonwood, Sedona, Mesa, Maryvale, central Phoenix and south Phoenix range from restaurants to photography and life coaching to construction.
Fuerza Local is a six-month business training course offered in Spanish at no cost to local business owners to support them in obtaining the necessary resources and tools to have healthy and successful businesses.
From makeup artistry to office support and kids’ parties to custom clothing, 10 graduates from Local First Arizona’s We Rise business accelerator are leveling up their enterprises and building generational wealth.
We Rise is a no-cost, six-month training program designed, produced and taught by Arizona’s Black small-business owners to impart comprehensive and practical business skills to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Business owners may feel trepidation about how to create a workplace welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community, but an upcoming online workshop from Arizona business coalition ONE Community offers the tools to understand and succeed in attracting and retaining LGBTQ+ employees and clients.
Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 5, for Local First Arizona’s 14th annual Devour Culinary Classic at the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden, the most anticipated culinary event of the region.
Featuring its distinct call-to-action card, Independents Week encourages Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. Each year, traditionally over the first week of July, first-timers and returning customers across the state discover new and fun ways to support Arizona’s small, independent businesses!
Businesses of all sizes including small businesses support The Equality and Fairness for All Americans because equality and fairness are not just the right thing to do, but are good for business. At Local First we believe we must be inclusive to attract and retain top talent, ideas and innovations.
Local First Arizona (LFA) today announced it has received $15,000 from the National League of Cities (NLC) City Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) program, which helps cities empower entrepreneurs of color and invest in underrepresented communities. Local First will use the funding to conduct outreach to qualified businesses and provide training on how to become a vendor for the City of Phoenix.
Local First Arizona’s recently launched Rural Business Academy addresses these unique challenges through four virtual courses facilitated over six weeks with up to 12 participants. Each course is led by an expert in the field with opportunities to collaborate with peers and one-on-one with mentors. The goal for each course is to provide hands-on learning, real-world exercises, and take-home tools that strengthen each business where it’s needed most.
Since 1984, Keep Arizona Beautiful has worked with citizens across rural Arizona to organize and implement local initiatives that keep our state clean and beautiful, including litter abatement efforts, recycling programs, illegal dumping prevention, and community beautification projects.
The Rural Policy Forum is an opportunity for rural economic development professionals, nonprofits, community leaders and stakeholders, and business owners to discuss the unique challenges that rural communities face and the solutions that are working to overcome those challenges.
In May of 2021, Local First Arizona launched the Arizona Economic Recovery Center (AZERC) to assist organizations and small rural towns statewide with building their capacity for small and large projects that have the potential to grow, contribute to, or transform the economic health of Arizona. Since its inception, the AZERC has assisted a multitude of rural towns, nonprofits and tribal organizations to win grant awards surpassing $4.6 million.
After a compelling virtual experience in 2021, Local First Arizona looks forward to bringing 250 business leaders together in person on April 5 at Tempe Center for the Arts for this pioneering event – the Arizona Good Business Summit.
In February 2022, Local First Arizona and South32 will launch a first-of-its-kind intensive Rural Business Academy in Santa Cruz County, with a digital marketing course to focus on unique challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs.
Through the Maricopa County Small Business Resilience Program,
Local First Arizona (LFA) in partnership with the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) is facilitating stability grants for nonprofit and for-profit small businesses and micro-enterprises. These stability grants of up to $25,000 are now available to small businesses that can demonstrate revenue declines or unanticipated operating cost deficits from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 as compared to July 2019 through December 2019.
Following an 18-month crisis response that provided more than $13 million in support to more than 1,400 small businesses across the state, Local First Arizona has been awarded a contract that will expand aid to local small and micro-enterprises in Maricopa County. With this award, Maricopa County joins Local First Arizona’s growing list of community partners offering support to the state’s most vulnerable businesses.
Late last month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released data showing that Arizonans have now deposited 11.5% of their money into local banks. This is a significant jump up from 3% in 2013 and 8.5% recorded in June of last year.
With only 13 banks headquartered in Arizona, the state has been called a “banking desert,” leaving eight counties with no community bank representation at all and small businesses with fewer borrowing options.
Food and farming are more than just growing and selling produce; the fall film series addresses how Arizona farms are helping families and overcoming injustice in the system.
The State of Arizona has launched the Back to Work Small Business Hiring and Retention Program. This $5 million program is designed to assist small, locally owned or operated businesses hire and retain employees; the program also has a special focus on businesses that have been affected by the recent wildfires and flooding.
With disappearing farmland, an ever-present threat of drought, and limited distribution channels, the summer film series addresses how Arizona farmers are overcoming these issues to bring fresh produce to your table.
With a 2,000-year-old agricultural heritage, Arizona’s Verde Valley locals and visitors can now rediscover their roots through the recently launched “Verde Grown” campaign. A local steering committee comprised of regional municipalities, growers, and producers have partnered with Local First Arizona to launch the new Verde Grown brand with an intent to link food connoisseurs to farmers, ranchers, food producers, and restaurants in the Verde Valley, which includes the cities and towns of Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Cornville, and other nearby communities.
Local First Arizona is launching the Arizona Economic Recovery Center, with support from Senator Mark Kelly and Governor Doug Ducey, to ensure every corner of the state has the opportunity to build back stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local First Arizona will host the 3rd Annual Arizona Good Business Summit (AZGBS) virtually on April 20-22, 2021. The 3-day digital conference will convene over 500 businesses and community leaders to examine economic and societal issues that shook communities everywhere in 2020 — and discuss solutions for them. From social justice to environmental action, small businesses lead the way in transformative systems change by redefining what it means to do “good business,” and the AZGBS will spotlight those leading the charge through innovative business models.
Local First Arizona is teaming up with the City of Mesa to recognize independently owned businesses that are doing good for the planet through the Arizona Green Business Program. This certification process for Arizona’s locally owned businesses, large and small, has two purposes - to recognize businesses that are leading the way, and to assist those who want to add sustainability into their operations by making the process hands-on, cost-savings oriented, and impactful.
Produced by Local First Arizona’s Good Food Finder, The Good Food Film Series will feature monthly, independent short film releases dedicated to documenting and sharing Arizona’s food access stories and the societal challenges the farming and food community face through February 2022. These are stories of the often unseen heroes, doing the good work of not only growing and providing healthy, fresh food to our communities but also taking bold environmental and food sovereignty action to create a more sustainable and just local food system.
The only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States, America Recycles Day, held on and around November 15, educates and encourages individuals on: