The boom-and-bust copper community of Superior is using federal funding to strengthen its economy by cleaning up and flipping abandoned properties.

The nonprofit Rebuild Superior Inc. wants to build a revitalized, diversified community—whether or not big mining returns.

People decide to volunteer for different reasons. The most common include a desire to build new skills, expand their social network or make a difference.

For Phoenix resident Melanie Martin, Local First Arizona’s volunteer programs allow her unique opportunities to show up and show out for the local businesses she adores. And living downtown near the Roosevelt Historic District means Martin is never far from discovering a new local business to love.

A federal grant is helping Gila County protect rural towns like Superior, Globe and Miami from the growing risk of flash floods after a trio of wildfires caused damage to the landscape.

The county will map the likely routes of post-wildfire flooding and mudslides using $250,000 from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Arizona is home to a myriad of locally owned businesses that breathe life into their communities. Recognizing the need to uplift these hidden gems, Local First Arizona introduced the Small Wonders Maps. This long-running project identifies clusters of locally owned businesses, literally putting them on the map to encourage community engagement and sustainable tourism.

Arianny Valles nació en Maracaibo, Venezuela, y se crió en Coro, una ciudad rica en historia al occidente del país. Con formación en Publicidad y especialización en Oratoria y Locución, Arianny descubrió su pasión por la locución radial, una carrera que inició en 1996 y que la llevó a trabajar en diversas estaciones radiales en Venezuela, así como a producir programas de televisión y a destacarse como locutora comercial y periodista.

Dive into our newest blog where we highlight four standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.

Supporting small business owners is key to Local First Arizona’s mission.

That’s why we offer business education workshops, webinars and networking events to boost your knowledge, help you overcome challenges and build strong relationships to keep your business healthy.

Here are a few events and workshops to get you started…

Gov. Katie Hobbs and more than 300 rural and tribal leaders came together at the Arizona Rural Policy Forum organized by Local First Arizona.

Hobbs highlighted unprecedented investments being made in infrastructure, clean energy, housing affordability, schools and small businesses to make our state stronger.

In honor of Black Business Month, Bennett, a legacy member of Local First Arizona, has gathered some helpful tips for local business owners and organizations preparing for upcoming events

Local First Arizona’s We Rise Business Accelerator celebrated its 100th graduate this month.

From children’s toys and landscape design to mental wellness services and fried vegan comfort food, the graduating class represents a wide range of specialties.

Meet the newest We Rise graduates…

Dive into our newest blog where we highlight three standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.

Millions of dollars in federal funding are available for rural, tribal and agricultural business owners to install solar, purchase new energy-efficient equipment and save on utility bills. Local First Arizona is now offering free help to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Local First Arizona’s annual Demo Day pitch competition celebrates the future of Black entrepreneurship. Six graduates of Local First’s We Rise Business Accelerator pitched their businesses and visions for growth to a panel of judges and audience.

With school out and temperatures soaring, the swimming season is in full swing! Here’s how to keep your kids safe — and why swim lessons are so helpful.

Here at Local First, we treasure Arizona’s independent businesses and consider it our duty and privilege to shine a light on these local indie gems so you can enjoy them, too. Each year, we turn up the indie love during the National Independents Week. From June 28 - July 4, organizations like ours designate a full week to supporting and helping raise awareness of locally-owned businesses.

The largest private donation in Local First Arizona's history will double the size of a community garden and support training programs for Black and Hispanic business owners.

Los futuros novios y graduados que entran a la actual ubicación de Rosy's Tuxedos en la Avenida N 75 en Phoenix pueden pensar que solo están obteniendo un traje o un esmoquin, pero los trajes a medida con los que se van vienen con algo invaluable: la confianza de saber que lucirán y se sentirán lo mejor posible en su gran día.

Local First Arizona has welcomed two new board members, Andre Whittington and Jonae A. Harrison. We asked them to dish on business, community and their ideal summer day…

Scottsdale-based LocalFi SEO Digital Marketing Agency helps local businesses grow customers through Google and Yelp.

“Within three months, (a chiropractor client) had to bring in another practitioner. He had a waiting list,” says LocalFi co-owner Isaac Navias. “That’s when I realized, this is powerful.”