Verde Valley businesses and nonprofits can get up to $15,000 to reduce water, energy and waste
Local First Arizona is expanding its green business boot camp and low-interest loan fund to the Verde Valley starting in January
COTTONWOOD (Jan. 27, 2023) — 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.
The Verde Valley SCALE UP program runs every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m. from Jan. 31-March 10. Classes are led by local economic and sustainability experts who share their knowledge and help participants brainstorm project ideas.
Participants confirmed so far include Las Salsitas Restaurant, Page Springs Cellars, Sedona Regional Airport, Smart Window Creations and Tiny Camp.
Interviews with Verde Valley businesses and community leaders supporting the program are available upon request.
Verde Valley businesses and nonprofits can sign up to participate for free by Jan. 30 at localfirstaz.com/scale-up-cohort-app or ask questions by emailing sustainability@localfirstaz.com.
SCALE UP will help participants learn about the unique environmental challenges to doing business in the Verde Valley.
The program also will assist business and nonprofit leaders in establishing a baseline of their transportation, waste, water and energy expenses and developing a plan to achieve at least a 20% reduction. Possible solutions include upgrading equipment, making buildings more energy efficient, converting landscaping to low-water-usage plants, switching to low-flow toilets, electrifying vehicle fleets and installing solar panels.
After graduation, participants receive one year of support at no cost from Local First to plan and execute their projects.
Previous SCALE UP participants in Tucson, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix have seen annual savings of thousands of dollars.
To help business owners make modifications, SCALE UP participants are eligible for loans up to $15,000 at interest rates of 4% or less through Local First’s Green Loan Fund.
Financing is available even to those who may be turned down by traditional lenders. The Green Loan Fund practices “social underwriting,” which takes into account not just credit scores, cash flow and collateral, but also support and relationships with customers and community members.
Local First has a long history of working with Verde Valley businesses and advocating for a more sustainable Arizona economy. Expanding SCALE UP to a vital and environmentally precious part of the state was a logical step.
“This program lays out an excellent framework for developing an internal culture of sustainability and provides an abundance of information and support to suit any business or organization's needs,” said Luc Goodhart of BRINK Media, which previously participated in the SCALE UP program in Tucson. “I would recommend SCALE UP to anyone who gives a damn about the planet and our community.”
SCALE UP’s personalized resources help local entrepreneurs set goals, find funding, track progress and share success stories, not only to save money and find new customers, but to contribute to a more resilient and connected community and economy.
“This incredible program offers real solutions that are attainable to accomplish,” said Libby Tobey of Pop-Cycle. The changes “never seemed achievable until I took this class. This goal-oriented program focuses on your needs. We really want to recommend it to everyone.”
Support for SCALE UP in the Verde Valley comes from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Friends of the Verde River and the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization.
Support for the Green Loan Fund comes from Vitalyst Health Foundation and the Community Investment Corporation.
About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. Local First’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action and food access. Local First is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.
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