Why Local First Loves Arizona — And How We’re Building A Stronger Place To Call Home
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. Each team works together to build equitable systems for Arizona’s local businesses and communities. Local First’s ultimate mission is to help create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Arizona economy by strengthening, supporting, and celebrating entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action, and food access. Meet the team and learn about how each team is working to make Arizona a better place to live.
🌵 Local First AZ C-Suite: Making the Dream Work
They have their hands in every pie, making sure that we are building opportunity in every corner of the state. Local First AZ was founded in 2003 by Kimber Lanning (business owner herself, heard of Stinkweeds?) and has grown into an effective community and economic development organization working to passionately build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous economy by innovatively connecting people, locally owned businesses, and communities. LFA educates consumers about the interconnectedness of the economy, trains small businesses to be more effective and more competitive, helps larger businesses and institutions tell their story as champions of Arizona, and creates programs and events that make it fun and easy to discover local businesses and buy local.
Kimber Lanning, CEO
1. We're a small business state!
2. The mid-century modern architecture.
3. The diversity of our landscape (prickly pears to pines).
Thomas Barr, Vice President of Business Development
1. We're a state of opportunity and vast multicultural businesses.
2. The Arizona music scene.
3. Those sunsets!
Denise Cleary, Director of Operations
1. The diversity of food!
2. The diversity of climate, we have mountains to river valleys.
3. We're an outdoor state - lots to do whether in the mountains, on the river, or visiting our rural towns.
💪🏾💪🏽 Fuerza Local: Powering Latino Entrepreneurs
Meet Monica and Paul, the genius behind our Fuerza Local team, bringing you the Fuerza Local Business Accelerator program and Nivel Ejecutivo. Monica and Paul work hard to help the Spanish-preferred business population access the resources they need to thrive. Local First Arizona launched the Fuerza Local Business Accelerator in 2013 as a direct response to the influx of predatory lenders that target low-income Latinos when working to scale up their small businesses. Fuerza Local is an important cog in the wheel to overcome wealth inequality and support entrepreneurship across our great state. Since 2013, Fuerza Local has seen 453 small business graduates: this has brought 624 more jobs and contributed over $6, 991, 360 in new sales to the economy.
Paul Zapata, Fuerza Local Digital Marketing Coordinator
1. For its spectacular natural views, fantastic sunsets, and it’s beautiful nature throughout the state.
2. For its great Hispanic business community and great motivation to have a better future in a state full of opportunities.
3. Because I have it in my heart, Arizona will always be my home.
Monica Garcia, Fuerza Local Small Business Liaison
1. The amazing sunsets!
2. Hiking trails - you can hike the 365 days of the year.
3. I love going to the Grand Canyon.
🥕👩🍳 Good Food: Arizona’s Hub for Local Food
Somlynn, Gabe, and Tanya make up the incredible food team, which may be the whole organization's favorite team. They can always point you in the direction of the newest restaurant or food entrepreneur to support, which farm to go-to for the best tasting produce, and which recipes to try for your next gourmet, home-cooked meal. But more importantly, this team passionately works to showcase the amazing local foods that grow right here in Arizona. From seed to table, strengthening Arizona’s local food economy is vital for building a more sustainable, healthy state. The team supports food entrepreneurs through the Fuerza Local Community Kitchen, develops programs to preserve farmland, and makes it easy for Arizonans to find local foods throughout the state through the Good Food Finder directory and more.
Gabe Gardner, Director of Food Programs
1. Tacos Chiwas is INCREDIBLE!
2. The Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market.
3. All the produce from Sun Produce Co-Op.
4. The pickled french fries at Shift in Flagstaff.
5. Mythical Coffee at Reap & Sow inside The Rebel Lounge.
Somlyn Rorie, Food & Farm Initiatives Manager
1. The saguaros and those amazing Arizona sunsets.
2. A stroll through citrus orchards in spring.
3. The smell of creosote during monsoon rain.
4. Feasting on all the organically grown goods from Blue Sky Farms. Their farm store is a gem for the West Valley!
Tanya Chakravarty, Good Food Program Coordinator
1. Smoked Prime Rib night and the carne adovada at Lovecraft - so special, so tasty
2. Chef Silvana's Cochinita Pibil at Barrio Cafe - I can't figure out how to make this myself. Someday, I’ll figure it out!
3. Elote at Elote Cafe and Chef Jeff Smestead's smile when I see him
4. Esso Soda at Esso Coffeehouse. Caffeine, bubbles, chocolate, oh my!
🏜️ Rural Development: Building Small Town Pride and Opportunity
Liza, Sam, and Lexie comprise our rural team. Local First Arizona acquired the Arizona Rural Development Council (AZRDC) in 2013 and is now the state’s official federally-recognized State Rural Development Council in the National Rural Development Partnership. The AZRDC is focused on leveraging resources to further enhance economic opportunities in rural Arizona through specific programs: Community Activation, Science Happens Here, Weekendzona, Rural Policy Forum, small business micro-lending, and by highlighting the assets of rural towns through #RuralAZ Community Profiles. These programs seek to enhance and support small rural businesses, community and economic development, and self-reliance while also showcasing the beauty and history rural Arizona has to offer — one hometown at a time.
Liza Noland, Director of Rural Programs
1. Mount Graham in Graham County, AZ (seriously, what is that DOING there?!)
2. Downtown Cottonwood: The Tavern Hotel, Red Rooster Cafe, and the cheese plate (and wine, of course) at Arizona Stronghold.
3. Arizona’s Route 66: Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Ash Fork, Kingman.
Samantha Zah, Rural Food & Sustainability Manager
1. Hiking the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff
2. The Morning Glory Cafe in Flagstaff
3. The fall leaves on the 89A switchbacks near Sedona
Lexie Krechel, Rural Community Development Manager
1. The weather!
2. The beautiful sunsets.
3. All the outdoor activities
4. The unique shops and restaurants!
💡 Sustainability: Helping Small Business Lead Through Environmental Action
It’s hard to find something that the sustainability team is not involved in! From farming to eco-friendly buildings, they’ll help you find ways to live life a little more greener. Local First’s sustainability team is led by Mike, Kelly, Helene, and Nick. Their work is focused on developing sustainability programs that lift both businesses and their extended communities by helping them prepare for the future and help build a resilient state. The adverse effects of climate change are evident across human health, agriculture and food security, water supply, transportation, energy, ecosystems, and others—and are expected to become increasingly disruptive. Through programs Scale Up and the Arizona Green Business certification, they are working towards an environmentally sustainable future that benefits everyone — and improves the quality of life for centuries to come.
Mike Peel, Statewide Sustainability Director & Southern Arizona Director
1. The desert ecosystem in which we live - stunning outdoor places to explore and discover.
2. Local business community - fiercely loved and supported by communities across Arizona.
3. My hometown, Tucson - small town feel with the arts/culture/food scene a large city offers!
Nick Shivka, Sustainability Program Manager
1. Prescott - Our once capital is rich with an exciting history, stunning landscapes, and a strong local business community.
2. Monsoons - The incomparable yearly deluge that quenches the parched state is also an amazing sight to behold.
3. Native Seeds SEARCH - Protecting precious arid-climate crops and invaluable indigenous farming knowledge so that we and future generations can feed ourselves in the coming climate.
Kelly Liska, Americorps Public Ally Green Business Leaders Coordinator
1. The ecology and natural beauty of the desert!
2. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
3. The Tucson culture.
4. Monsoons!
🤝Membership Team: On-The-Ground Small Business Experts
Our Local First members are probably familiar with Jake, Solangel, Summer, Melissa, and Faith. This hardworking team is dedicated to assisting the incredible small businesses that we have in Arizona — especially throughout this pandemic. The business coalition team, serving over 3,000 Local First members, is passionate about making sure small businesses have their fair share of resources to thrive, achieve their goals, and set new ones.
Solangel Leyva, Small Business Coordinator
1. Arizona has so many diverse communities and such unique scenery that you can’t find anywhere else. Our small businesses throughout the state make the one of a kind Arizona experience even better. Dragging my loved ones throughout the state and to local spots might be the ultimate flex.
2. There is no better feeling than getting away and disconnecting from the noise that comprises everyday life. I’m happy to report that Arizona’s hidden hiking and camping gems always do the trick and help me reset.
3. Local eats, drinks, and food from AZ producers keep both my stomach and heart happy. When I’m not working, you can probably find me feasting at new spots or hitting the classics.
4. I love adventuring, so Arizona’s road trippin' ease makes it the ideal place to live. Heading east on the 60 to Globe and Superior is my all-time favorite.
Summer Tassin, Small Business Membership Manager
1. The vast and ever-changing sky. Whether it's a cotton candy sunset in Saguaro National Park or the moon rising behind the dusk desert mountains, look up and there's surely a sight to see.
2. The architecture and unique neighborhoods. From mid-century modern buildings home to shops originating in the economic boom of the 1940s on Sunshine Mile to the beautifully historical dwellings in Barrio Viejo, the neighborhoods display a vibrant, diverse culture and lively history.
3. The local businesses we have the privilege and pleasure to frequently visit and support. Arizona is filled to the brim with advantageous, brilliant, talented, and resilient artists, makers, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Our business communities vary in magnitude and flavor and make me proud to be from this desert state.
Jake Swanson, Small Business Engagement Manager
1. Arizona is made up of so many biomes. Literally and figuratively. The state has so many varied environments, communities, activities and vibes. In a few hours your world can change significantly from just a short road trip.
2: The local business community is rich. That flavors, builds and enriches my community. I know the workers, the owners. Shopping is a social activity, not a chore.
3: It is iconic. Living in Arizona is a challenge and a part of your personality. We are the desert. I carry that challenge and personality and love it.
Melissa Wright, Special Programs Manager
1. Outdoor activities! Arizona has all the activities you could ever want. From mountain biking, climbing to backpacking, it has it all.
2. It has all the terrains! Forest and mountains, low desert, high desert, and some pretty spectacular vistas. I never get bored exploring this state.
3. All the seasons except the summer. Even then it’s easy to escape the heat to mountain towns!
Faith Hochhalter, Office and Membership Coordinator
1. The beauty of the desert is certainly a factor
2. The incredible people.
3. There is no shortage of experiences one can partake in. Anything you want to do/see/experience, you can!
🏢 For(u)m: Promotes Thoughtful, Sustainable, Walkable, and Inclusive Development in Greater Phoenix
Dominike drives the For(u)m team, and he is a powerhouse! For(u)m is about making sure urban development is sustainable, walkable, supports diversity and inclusions, and is responsive to the community. As our urban community grows, For(u)m focuses on context-sensitive and responsible development such as infill, adaptive reuse, preservation, and redevelopment.
Dominike Nabors, FOR(U)M Program Manager
1. A two-hour drive can take you from a desert oasis to a winter wonderland.
2. Arizona is a state full of flavor. From the culture and music to the arts and food. Your tastebuds will thank you.
3. A world of small businesses and mom and pop shops. A warm home away from home.
✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽 We Rise: Supporting Arizona’s Black Entrepreneurs
One of the most recent additions to Local First’s initiatives is the We Rise, a business accelerator specifically for Black-owned small businesses. Carmen is at the head of it and is in the middle of her very first cohort. Like the Fuerza Local program, We Rise focuses on the diversity of our markets through small businesses to build a more inclusive and vibrant place to call home.
Carmen Attikossie, Small Business Development Manager
1. I love the mountains and the palm trees of our state! We have very beautiful scenery that makes me excited.
2. I love the local wines available and my favorite spot to be on a Friday night in Genuwine, a local wine bar in Downtown Phoenix that has a variety of local wines you can taste.
3. Farmers markets happening throughout different parts of the state, I am able to get healthy and delicious vegetables while supporting local businesses.
📣 Marketing & Communications Team: Media Gurus Making All Teams Shine
The Local First Marketing team is the bridge between the other teams and you! Their job is to brag about all the incredible things each team is doing and to help local businesses tell their story as champions of Arizona. The Marketing team is also involved in annual campaigns and events that connect all teams, such as Eat Local and Move Your Money, and annual events such as Indie Week, Devour, Arizona Good Business Summit and Arizona Fall Fest.
Lynita Johnson, Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy
1. The weather! I'll take 115 over freezing and snow EVERY time.
2. Within the state, the southwest, and even internationally, living in Arizona makes it pretty easy to explore and find new adventures.
3. Both personally and professionally, there never seems to be a shortage of opportunities for me to pursue.
Maria Lopez, Communications Manager
1. It's a young state. And there is endless opportunity to shape into the place you want it to be.
2. The Arizona Sunrise: fresh OJ topped with 2 shots of espresso (check it out at Lola Coffee Bar or Jobot)
3. Sunsets. Saguaro to Snowy Vistas. No Daylight Saving Time.
Lori Wheeler, Shop Arizona Marketplace Manager
1. The weather! I love the sun and living in Arizona provides plenty of it! Plus, our winters are absolutely perfect in Phoenix
2. New adventure! Drive 2 hours in any direction from the valley and you will find a new location that you have never visited before. We have so many diverse destinations that I am learning something new all the time.
3. Food & Craft Beer! Need I say more?
Julia Olivas, Digital Marketing Specialist
1. I love that there is always something to do. Whether it’s getting outside, discovering a new restaurant, or exploring old ghost towns, there’s never a reason to be bored here!
2. Arizona is so eclectic. It draws people from all over the country bringing with them unique styles of music, food, art, and culture. People joke about no one actually being from AZ and I think that has created an environment where people are open to trying new things and meeting new people.
3. Desert, snowy mountains, big cities, and quaint little towns, Arizona has it all. Except the ocean.. for now. Looking at you, San Andreas Fault.
Monica Chabot, Content Coordinator
1. I love all the destinations that are so close to us! So many incredible rural towns, lakes, and even snow!
2. I love walking down Roosevelt Row! There is such an exciting vibe with all the art, food, and architecture.
3. All the farmer’s markets and the perfect weather that allows them to operate almost all year long!
Christina Webb, Graphic Design Manager
1. Diversity whether the ecosystems, the people, the beliefs, or even food. If you are looking for a new adventure each town, city, and mountaintop has something different to experience.
2. Space. Tons of it. I have lived in areas where it's just towns and people stacked on top of each other. Here we have a huge expanse of places to just roam and get lost in.
3. The sky, Sunsets, sunrises, and vast expanses of stars. Clouds that are just cowboy cliche in the summer and stunning displays in the monsoons in the fall.
Our team loves our great state and wants to make sure it’s a great place for everyone. If you’re interested in lending your support to any of these causes, consider becoming a localist!