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How we choose to spend our money helps shape the places we live. It influences which businesses grow, which jobs exist and which services remain available close to home. In that sense, Prime Day is about more than what we buy. It's also a reminder of how much power consumers actually have.

What Does It Mean to Be Local?

People often think being local means shopping local, eating local or attending local events.

Those things matter.

But being local is bigger than that.

It's creating opportunities for entrepreneurs. It's investing in locally owned businesses. It's strengthening food systems, supporting workforce development and helping communities access the resources they need to thrive.

At its heart, being local means building an economy where opportunity stays closer to home and more people have the chance to participate in it.

That's the story behind Local First Arizona's 2025 Annual Report.

Built With Intention: LGBTQ+-Friendly Businesses and Inclusive Communities Across Arizona

Inclusive local businesses do more than serve customers — they help shape communities where people feel welcomed, valued and connected. Across Arizona, LGBTQ+-friendly businesses and organizations are building spaces rooted in belonging, advocacy and local resilience.

From Startup to Storefront: How Arizona-Grown Businesses Grow Into Their Next Chapter

During National Small Business Week (May 3–9), communities across the country recognize the 36 million small businesses that power the U.S. economy, and represent 99.9% of all firms and more than 45% of the workforce.

At Local First Arizona, that work isn’t confined to a single week. We work year-round to support, and shine a light on, the 650,000 small businesses operating in Arizona who make up 99.5% of total businesses in the state and employ 1.1 million people. Most of them are small businesses, illustrating yet again that entrepreneurs are the vital engines fueling the state’s economy. While Arizona is ranked nationally for its startup-friendly landscape, less attention is paid to the journey entrepreneurs experience in the months and years that follow the ubiquitous ribbon cutting ceremony.

Local First Arizona Stands with Arizona's Energy Future

At Local First Arizona, we have spent more than two decades making the case that strong, resilient communities are built from the inside out. The businesses, farms, nonprofits and neighborhoods that make Arizona worth living in don’t just happen, they require intentional investment, thoughtful policy and leadership willing to bring everyone to the table.

Governor Katie Hobbs’ Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce has done exactly that.

The resulting report is a significant milestone, one that Local First Arizona helped shape. Its 31 consensus-driven recommendations reflect input from 36 members, including private-sector leaders, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, nonprofits, utilities, and state agencies. Kimber Lanning, Founder & CEO served on the Governor's Arizona Energy Promise Taskforce, and Vice President of Resiliency Programs Ginger Sykes Torres contributed to one of its working committees. Such rare and broad agreement among typically divergent stakeholders is a point of serious consideration, and one we are proud to support.

Why Where You Bank Matters More Than You Think

Where your business banks isn’t just a financial decision — it shapes who gets access to capital in your community. Across Arizona, local businesses are often shut out of lending by the same institutions holding their deposits. Community banks and credit unions flip that model, reinvesting locally and building the relationships businesses need to grow. If you’re thinking about your next money move, building a relationship with a local banker now can open doors when it matters most.

Celebrate Earth Month in Arizona: Local Events, Cleanups and Sustainable Businesses to Support

For Earth Month, and every month, consider finding ways to support locally-owned businesses that have committed to sustainable practices. To help you find and support local businesses doing valuable climate resilience work, we’ve pulled together a few suggestions of people and places fighting the good fight for Arizona’s environment during Earth Month and all year long.

Move Over Bob Lifestyle Brand Helps Women Take Up Space in the Trades

Move Over Bob is an Arizona-based lifestyle brand and publication inspired by the teen magazines of the 1990s and early 2000s, reimagined with a very different purpose: empowering girls to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Where earlier magazines focused on celebrity style and social cues, Move Over Bob highlights pathways to economic stability, independence and long-term opportunity.

Infrastructure — The Missing Ingredient in Local Food Resilience

One of the biggest barriers to accessing local food in Arizona is a lack of infrastructure — from processing to distribution — for small and mid-sized farming and food operations. That gap is both a symptom and a consequence of a highly consolidated food system, one that reduces local control and increases vulnerability.

How A We Rise Demo Day Winner Is Supporting Arizona’s Healthcare Pipeline

After nearly two decades as an EEG technologist, Agnes Adams understood Arizona’s healthcare workforce gaps from the inside. Essential roles were understaffed, and for many women — particularly women of color — the pathway into healthcare careers was limited.

In 2021, Adams and her business partner, Miss Gigi, launched the Yond Institute of Learning, a West Valley–based training program focused on Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), a critical entry point into nursing and other healthcare professions. Designed around the realities of working families, Yond offers small cohorts, flexible class schedules and personalized support to help students move from opportunity to stability.

Kat Meyer 6/22/26 Kat Meyer 6/22/26

What if Prime Day Was Local?

Kat Meyer 6/1/26 Kat Meyer 6/1/26

The Best Local Arizona Gift Ideas for Fathers Day: 2026 Edition

The Best Arizona Gifts for Fathers Day 2026

Shopping locally for Father's Day supports Arizona’s regional makers, independent artists, and homegrown businesses. Excellent local gift ideas from Northern, Central, and Southern Arizona.

Paul Zapata 5/28/26 Paul Zapata 5/28/26

I SPEAK AZ LLC: empoderando la confianza a través del idioma, la comunidad y el crecimiento empresarial

En un mundo donde el idioma puede ser una barrera o una puerta de oportunidad, una mujer vio la posibilidad de transformar vidas a través de la comunicación.

Lo que comenzó como una pasión por ayudar a otros hoy se ha convertido en I SPEAK AZ LLC, una academia de inglés diseñada especialmente para la comunidad hispana.

Paul Zapata 4/23/26 Paul Zapata 4/23/26

Amor Fashion Shop: donde el arte mexicano inspira el camino emprendedor

Lo que comenzó como un sueño impulsado por la pasión por la cultura mexicana es hoy un negocio que conecta comunidades a través del arte.

Amor Fashion Shop (AFS) nació en medio de la incertidumbre en 2021, cuando el mundo enfrentaba los desafíos del COVID-19. Aun así, esta idea comenzó a tomar forma.

Paul Zapata 3/11/26 Paul Zapata 3/11/26

Magical Gems by Gely: Tres hermanas creando joyas con intención

Las joyas suelen tener un significado personal: marcan momentos importantes, relaciones y recuerdos. Para Alejandra, Karla y Angélica, las tres hermanas detrás de Magical Gems by Gely, también se convirtieron en la base para construir un pequeño negocio basado en la colaboración familiar y la expresión creativa.

El proyecto comenzó cuando una de ellas atravesaba una etapa difícil a nivel profesional.

Lori Cothrun 11/18/25 Lori Cothrun 11/18/25

Welcome Our November New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we celebrate the local businesses building a stronger Arizona from the ground up. This lineup shows what real local impact looks like across our state: skilled construction teams improving our neighborhoods, organizers helping households run with more ease, and wellness practitioners supporting individuals and families through meaningful care. From Phoenix to Oro Valley to Camp Verde, these members represent craftsmanship, creativity and a deep commitment to the communities they serve.

Kat Meyer 11/12/25 Kat Meyer 11/12/25

Five Ways to Keep Your Holiday Spending Local

Buying local keeps money circulating in Arizona and strengthens communities from Bisbee to Flagstaff. Here are five easy ways to make your holiday shopping meaningful, memorable and 100% Arizona.

Kat Meyer 11/11/25 Kat Meyer 11/11/25

Local Gift Giving, By Personality

Holiday shopping shouldn’t feel like a sprint through corporate sameness. This year, skip the predictable and give local. Shopping with personality types in mind makes your gifts unforgettable, and every purchase from an Arizona-owned business keeps more money right here at home, fueling jobs, creativity and community. Here’s how to shop local, letting your recipients’ personalities be your guide.

Lori Cothrun 11/10/25 Lori Cothrun 11/10/25

Why “Shop Local” Isn’t Just a Holiday Slogan — It’s a Fight for a Level Playing Field

The holidays are here, and while most of us are thinking about gifts and celebrations, Local First is also focused on fairness. Because the movement to “shop local” isn’t just about warm fuzzies — it’s about leveling a playing field that’s long been tilted against small businesses.

Paul Zapata 10/22/25 Paul Zapata 10/22/25

La chispa de Carmen Pérez: de la cocina al corazón de la comunidad

Cuando conoces a la Chef Carmen Pérez, es imposible no notar su energía y alegría. Su personalidad brillante y contagiosa, llena de fuerza y optimismo, es lo que la define y lo que finalmente inspiró el nombre de su negocio: Chispita Catering.

Con una sonrisa constante y una determinación inquebrantable, Carmen ha convertido su chispa personal en el motor de un negocio que lleva comida deliciosa y de alta calidad a celebraciones y eventos en todo el Valle.

Lori Cothrun 10/17/25 Lori Cothrun 10/17/25

Welcome Our October New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we celebrate local businesses strengthening Arizona’s economy—on main streets and in neighborhoods across the state. This lineup spans Flagstaff, Mesa and Tucson, and each one shows what buying local looks like in real life: trusted service, skilled teams, and community-first values.

Lori Cothrun 9/16/25 Lori Cothrun 9/16/25

Welcome Our September New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we welcome new faces and celebrate longtime members who keep Arizona’s economy rooted here at home. From gathering places in small towns to expert builders shaping homes in the Valley to winemakers bringing new stories to our tables — these businesses show up for the communities we love and the local economy we’re building together.

Paul Zapata 9/15/25 Paul Zapata 9/15/25

La Michoacana Al Natural: Celebrando raíces y sabores durante el Mes de la Herencia Hispana

Un espacio para la familia, el sabor y la cultura

Al entrar a La Michoacana Al Natural, te reciben murales de Arizona y México, el aroma de nieves artesanales y el murmullo de familias reunidas.

Su fundadora, Erika Félix, soñó con crear algo más que una nevería: un lugar donde los niños pudieran llegar en bicicleta después de la escuela, las familias pudieran compartir una mesa y se crearán recuerdos —muy parecidos a los de su propia infancia.

Lori Cothrun 8/13/25 Lori Cothrun 8/13/25

Welcome Our August New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we welcome new faces and celebrate longtime members who keep Arizona’s economy rooted here at home. From keeping neighbors comfortable year-round to guiding families through life’s big decisions to supporting parents in meaningful moments — these businesses show up for the communities we love and the local economy we’re building together.brings something meaningful and lasting to our local economy.

Paul Zapata 7/14/25 Paul Zapata 7/14/25

5th Avenue Café: Más que un negocio, un centro comunitario con alma culinaria

En el vecindario Coronado de Phoenix, dos emprendedores están transformando un café local en un espacio donde la buena comida se encuentra con conexiones significativas — con el apoyo de la comunidad de Fuerza Local.

Para Ana Alvarado y Gustavo Delgado, abrir 5th Avenue Café no se trataba solo de lanzar un negocio. Se trataba de crear un espacio donde las personas se sintieran vistas, atendidas y con raíces — especialmente en un momento en que el sentido de comunidad se sentía frágil.

Lori Cothrun 7/10/25 Lori Cothrun 7/10/25

Welcome Our July New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we spotlight businesses that are helping shape Arizona’s future — one plate, one podcast, one customer at a time. These local leaders aren’t just building businesses — they’re building community. Whether they’re helping creators find their voice, serving up bold new flavors or reimagining what dining and gathering can look like, each brings something meaningful and lasting to our local economy.

Paul Zapata 6/24/25 Paul Zapata 6/24/25

Más que agua y hielo: Cómo un negocio latino impulsa el cambio ambiental con Fuerza Local

Una familia, un sueño y un negocio con propósito

Javier y María del Rocío Cervantes nacieron en Guadalajara, Jalisco, y, como muchos inmigrantes, llegaron a Estados Unidos en busca de mejores oportunidades. Javier, carpintero de oficio, y María del Rocío, secretaría empresarial, nunca imaginaron que años más tarde estarían liderando un negocio con un impacto significativo en su comunidad y ahora también en el medio ambiente.

Lori Cothrun 6/9/25 Lori Cothrun 6/9/25

Welcome Our June New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we welcome businesses that are shaping Arizona’s economy in bold, lasting ways. From trusted family legacies to local-first disruptors, these members reflect the strength and diversity of our business community. Whether they’re building Arizona’s schools and libraries, protecting homes from desert pests, or championing local journalism, each one brings something powerful to the table.

Lori Cothrun 5/16/25 Lori Cothrun 5/16/25

Welcome Our May New and Renewing Business Coalition Members

Every month, we’re honored to welcome businesses across Arizona that are driving local impact and building the kind of economy we all want to live and work in. These featured members represent the spirit of Arizona — rooted in family, service and sustainability. Whether they’re serving up world-famous fruit burros, keeping your car road-ready or raising Navajo-Churro sheep on historic land, they each remind us why local matters.

Paul Zapata 4/25/25 Paul Zapata 4/25/25

Más que números: Cómo Fuerza Local está impulsando a los emprendedores latinos de Arizona

Cuando pienses en la comunidad de pequeñas empresas de Arizona, piensa en grande. Desde restaurantes y tiendas hasta electricistas, esteticistas y distribuidores agrícolas, los negocios de propiedad latina están en el corazón de la economía de Arizona. Y muchos de ellos comenzaron —o encontraron el impulso para crecer— gracias a Fuerza Local.

Un espacio para la familia, el sabor y la cultura

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