Over the past two years, most of us have come to understand the importance and impact of having access to reliable internet services. For part of our state, that access is a privilege they have long dreamed of.

Muchas felicidades a la 1ra Generación y 18a Generación y un agradecimiento muy especial para todos los líderes comunitarios y patrocinadores del programa por creer en nuestros empresarios locales.

Meet January’s new and renewing Local First Arizona members!

In Fall 2021, SCALE UP Cohorts 5 and 6 came together to participate in the 6-week sustainability project planning series to share knowledge and resources to help each of them achieve efficiency savings and add to our growing network of green businesses. After coming together, each participant is launching a unique project that addresses energy, water, waste, and/or transportation in their operations alongside commitments to environmental and community stewardship. Here is a sneak peek of the participants and the projects they are launching here in Arizona!

United States consumers spent $12.7 billion on gift wrap in 2017, and it’s estimated that 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper ends up in the nation’s landfills. For something that looks pretty for a short time and then gets ripped up, gift wrap has a big impact. This holiday season, get creative with reusable wrapping ideas and keep the joy without the environmental burden.

I'm bringing this to you today as a request. We have to use our critical thinking, our emotional intelligence, and our compassion to continue to dialogue with those we don't agree with and to hang on to reality while understanding diverse lived experiences.

I’ve spent my time at Local First working to address root causes. Many call it leadership, but what I really think we're talking about is accountability

The new episode of Project Greenprint focused on Conservation by Social Television Network is available on the free STN App starting November 3rd. In this episode, host Kristen Keogh introduces several advocates for conservation in Arizona who offer opportunities to get involved and speak up for our few remaining wild spaces.

Water – Plant It Wisely is your handy resource to provide landscaping guidance, advice, and ideas on what to plant. What you plant affects more than your yard; it helps create a more sustainable future. By selecting low-water-use plants, you help conserve our precious water supply for generations to come.

We Rise’s business model development curriculum features two modules that helps participants attain these skills: introduction to business model development and understanding your value proposition and target customer. By the end of both modules, participants have refined their respective business models to ensure maximum product-market fit, in collaboration with their mentors, instructors and fellow entrepreneurs.

The business finance portion of the We Rise Accelerator Program focuses on three main topic modules: personal finance; debt, equity, and grant financing; and understanding credit and creditworthiness. The purpose of these modules is to expose entrepreneurs to different financing options for small businesses -- including the less familiar ones like equity and grants -- and to come together to develop strategies to improve both their personal and business creditworthiness.

The We Rise business plan curriculum guides participants through identifying effective ways to communicate their voice from paper to action. Once finished, the participant can successfully use the plan as a blueprint for day-to-day operations, obtaining funding, and overall growth.

The Sustainability Team at Local First Arizona is committed to connecting local businesses to more advocacy opportunities and to telling the stories of those across the state who are advocating for beneficial environmental policies. Read about some of the ways LFA has gotten involved in environmental advocacy.

Local First has a comprehensive and easy-to-use directory not only for local businesses but also for farms, community-supported agriculture (CSA) and all things food. It’s important to shop local and support your community and this directory makes it simple.

The overall goal of the Tribal Food Sovereignty Series is to provide a space for ongoing conversations that encourage exchange between food partners and tribal food practitioners and enhance networks and collaborations for improved coordination and stronger regional and inclusive food systems.

The Local First Arizona Sustainability team is now accepting applications for the next four cohorts starting in September 2021, November 2021, January 2022, and March 2022 from businesses and nonprofits seeking to develop the knowledge and skills to implement a sustainability project that reduces their impact, benefits their community, and gets them recognized for building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable local economy in Arizona.

In the Summer of 2020, the Sky Islands Tourism Alliance reached out to Local First Arizona for assistance in creating better collaboration amongst the hospitality and tourism businesses in the region. To address these challenges, five potential solutions were presented to the group with interest arising in the creation of a Local First Arizona Small Wonders Map.

Earlier this month, nearly 220 rural stakeholders, leaders, and advocates convened for the 14th Annual Rural Policy Forum, hosted by the Arizona Rural Development Council (AZRDC). Representatives from all 15 counties traversed the state for the two-day conference in the Sahuarita and the Green Valley area, eager to seek new solutions for building resilient, more inclusive rural economies across Arizona.

The first-ever cohort of the YWCA Green Business Program will be wrapping up in September! Through LFA Sustainability’s partnership with the Women’s Business Center and the YWCA of Southern Arizona, several Tucson businesses have had the opportunity to receive one-on-one support for all their sustainability and business planning needs. The YWCA and LFA Sustainability along with the Tucson Mayor's Office will host a graduation event on September 9th to recognize these businesses for their green leadership.

Natural buildings are becoming a popular alternative to traditional construction. Local First Arizona sat down with a diverse group of local experts and professionals to get an in-depth perspective.