Do you know which Arizona city has the largest Black community per capita in the state? The answer may surprise you. But business leader Demetry Simonton says it’s leading the way in Black entrepreneurship.

As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.

Gov. Katie Hobbs declared Nov. 4 "Local First Arizona Day" in recognition of our 20 years of service to the state!

We’re honored and grateful to everyone who loves local. Come celebrate with us on Saturday!

El Festival de Otoño de Arizona es una celebración comunitaria y gratuita donde asisten más de 15,000 personas en busca de ambiente familiar y entretenimiento en vivo.

Te invitamos conocer y apoyar a los negocios locales de Fuerza Local que participaran en esta 17 edición de Arizona Fall Festival!

Business owners in Sedona, Cottonwood and surrounding Verde Valley cities are growing their products and services after graduating from Local First Arizona’s six-month Spanish-language business accelerator, Fuerza Local Acelerador de Negocios.

Meet these 10 northern Arizona entrepreneurs.

As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.

Tina Santos dejó atrás su amado país México, llena de ilusiones para triunfar en un país totalmente nuevo, sin familia donde apoyarse y sin tener dominio del idioma inglés. Cuenta orgullosamente que trabajó muy duro porque no podía regresar a su país derrotada, pero sus deseos de…..

In a world dominated by e-commerce giants and mass-produced goods, it can be challenging for consumers to find unique, locally-made products while still supporting their community. However, with Local First's online marketplace, Shop Local First, Arizona residents and visitors have a powerful tool at their fingertips to conveniently browse and purchase gifts from a wide range of locally-owned businesses

Arizona is more than just a state on the map; It’s a community woven together by culture, diversity and local businesses that drive our economy. At its heart, this state pulses with the dreams and ambitions of its residents. Behind every Arizona-based product, dish, or service lies the heart and soul of a passionate local entrepreneur. By supporting these entrepreneurs and their businesses, we strengthen the very core of Arizona.

As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.

Five women food entrepreneurs will dazzle the tastebuds of a lucky few at Dining For Dreams on Sept. 28.

The intimate evening of camaraderie and conversation features a three-course dinner catered by graduates of Local First Arizona’s business accelerator programs. Get your tickets now!

As Black Business Month concludes, it's crucial to recognize that ongoing support from the local community is vital for entrepreneurs, to thrive year-round.

While Black-owned businesses are on the rise in Tucson and across the U.S., they still constitute only 3% of all businesses nationwide. Moreover, Black business owners typically begin with significantly less access to capital compared to their White counterparts—nearly a third less, as per industry standards.

We talked with two Tucson entrepreneurs from the Black business community. We explored the challenges of business ownership, ways the community can offer support, and the inspirations behind their entrepreneurial journeys.

Black business ownership is on the rise. In celebration of National Black Business Month, we spotlight a new cooperative marketplace that recently opened in Phoenix to support Black-owned businesses.

Seeing a “Small Wonders” map, the pocket-size guides to independent businesses and tourist attractions around the state by Local First Arizona, was the genesis for Scottsdale marketing agency Ideas Collide lending its support.
Local First, like the agency, was “small and mighty and impactful,” said co-founder Matt Clyde. ”We love seeing small businesses thrive.”

As the largest coalition of of locally-owned businesses in the nation, you are part of a movement that elevates the voices of Arizona’s independent, locally-owned businesses – connecting people, communities and resources for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona. Join us in celebrating new and renewing business coalition members.

Less than a year and a half after Charlotte Bowens experienced a health scare, she was crossing the finish line of a 50-mile race, setting things in motion for Conscious Gear, a brand of outdoor wear she founded to accommodate larger bodies.

“There’s plenty of us at the back of the pack who are fat, and we buy this gear that a lot of the time doesn’t fit us,” Bowens said. “I felt called to just maybe try.”

Jorge Diaz was ready to close his online shop that sells handmade jewelry, clutches and wallets until he connected with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which helped him relaunch.

Diaz is one of more than 6,000 small business owners in less than two years who have received advice and training at no cost from a coalition of organizations led by Local First Arizona that supports entrepreneurs across the state.

Making higher education accessible to all Arizonans is the goal of three business owners who recently graduated from We Rise, Local First Arizona’s Black-owned business accelerator.

First Things First fosters school readiness and healthy development for children from birth to age 5. Through strategic investments in state and local programs, they ensure that children are well-prepared for success from the moment they step into their kindergarten classrooms.

By supporting local bookstores, you're not only enriching your reading experience but also nurturing the ecosystem within your community. These cherished establishments provide vital spaces for authors, artists, and readers to connect and thrive. They foster a love for literature, nurture emerging voices, and ensure that the magic of storytelling continues to inspire generations to come.