Local First Arizona Expands Small Business Support to Deepen Economic Resiliency in Arizona

Pro bono consulting services help Maricopa County small businesses improve business skills, increase revenue, and grow market position

 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. These new municipal investments will expand the existing work into every corner of Maricopa County. Applications for the Maricopa County technical assistance program will open in October.

For Bryce Cherven, owner of Mesa’s Pastry Unicorn, the technical assistance he previously received from Local First was invaluable in stabilizing the bakery’s business operations. “As a new business owner, I was able to build my marketing, get assistance with my biggest financial burden, as well as guidance on my most unfamiliar subjects like taxes and accounting.” 

Through the technical assistance program, small and micro enterprises in Maricopa County will gain access to pro bono consulting on social media, digital marketing and SEO searchability; event management and marketing; video production; recommendations for marketing efforts and savings; business liability assistance; operations and inventory control; and community engagement.

“As the largest coalition of independently-owned businesses in the United States, Local First is uniquely positioned to apply our years of experience with hands-on technical assistance, training, and support to help our small businesses successfully navigate the extended pandemic crisis and build back better,” said Thomas Barr, Local First Arizona’s vice president of business development. 

For more information on the Maricopa County technical assistance program, please visit localfirstaz.com/maricopa-county or contact Local First Arizona’s business support team at membership@localfirstaz.com or 602-956-0909.