We’re excited to introduce the newest members of our Local First Arizona coalition! Spanning the state from Scottsdale to Yuma, these businesses are driving innovation and bringing fresh perspectives to their communities. By fostering growth and supporting local economies, they are helping shape Arizona’s thriving business landscape. Explore how these forward-thinking leaders are making an impact statewide!

Senior leaders from the White House, including USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, visited Tucson recently to recognize Local First Arizona’s leadership in transforming agricultural policy, food resiliency and financial investments throughout the Southwest.a love letter to Phoenix,” Estes says.

We’re excited to introduce the newest members of our Local First Arizona coalition! Spanning the state from Scottsdale to Yuma, these businesses are driving innovation and bringing fresh perspectives to their communities.

The Bisbee Science Exploration & Research Center is reimagining eight acres of vacant school district land to create a first-of-its-kind, scientific learning center for children. A $150,000 federal grant is helping with planning and design.

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.

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…

Tucson-based Berry Cultured celebrates cultural diversity with a line of toys, paper products and party kits that allow kids to experience cultural norms and values in a fun way.

“What’s different about our products is we add a cultural twist to it,” says founder Heidi Calderon. “When I grew up, the people who made up my world were not in the toy aisle. I wanted to change that narrative.”

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.

A 40-year-old bridge in southern Arizona will soon receive a much-needed, multi-million-dollar overhaul to serve the community of Rio Rico, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the new bridge will be the largest project in Santa Cruz County and improve 911 response times for a growing rural community.

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.

What started small, as a recipe in April King’s kitchen to meet the needs she had during a changing health situation, has gained traction beyond her home and sparked cravings across Arizona.

Next month, King will bring Better Than Provisions to the 2024 Good Food Forum + Expo, which Local First Arizona will host Aug. 27 at the El Conquistador Tucson.

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.

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.

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…

Demand for workers to fill clean energy jobs is growing twice as fast as for other careers. Now a community college serving rural southern Arizona is launching programs to train and develop this new workforce with millions in federal funding.