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.

Although it’s good news that more Arizonans are employed than ever before, the demand for workers has been challenging for small businesses to keep up with, particularly in rural areas.

Local First is working with rural employers to understand their staffing needs, opportunities and challenges to find solutions.

The Heart & Soil People’s Garden in South Phoenix is part of a movement to replace food deserts with thriving urban farms on previously vacant and underutilized land.

Adela Nevarez dreamed of turning her lifelong love of baking into a business. With a little help from Local First Arizona, the Mesa grandmother’s Wicked Mix Cookie Company is quickly findings fans.

We are excited to announce Drink Me Tea Room, No Harm No Cow, Downtown Tempe Authority, and Sole Sports Running Zone as the latest businesses to become certified. Read on to learn about who they are and how supporting these businesses supports a vibrant and sustainable economy in Arizona

When the Sunshine Mile Merchant Association needed support to bring a big idea to life, they turned to Local First Arizona's Economic Recovery Center (AZERC). This partnership helped Sunshine Mile win a competitive grant from the Arizona Commission of the Arts for use in the community to improve foot traffic, reactivate community involvement, and drive tourism.

Recent reports show that two-thirds of travelers want to support their destination’s recovery and see their money go back into the local communities they visit. Local First Arizona (LFA) and Visit Tucson are making it easier than ever before.

Danayzet Fauré es orgullosamente originaria de Venezuela, mamá soltera, especialista en telecomunicaciones y derecho espacial y entre muchas otras facetas que la distinguen, pero sobre todo es una amante de los perros y defensora de sus derechos. Emigró a los Estados Unidos hace 3 años sola con su hijo de 6 años y el regresar a su país ya no era una opción, esta fue una de las razones que la llevaron a convertirse en empresaria local de Arizona con Dana Grooming LLC.

This month we’re featuring one of our newest members - Desert Moon Market! This woman-owned business is a desert lovers paradise. Owner Alex has filled her shop with home decor and clothing inspired by the desert and an upcoming beauty line made with the healing elements of Arizona. Get to know her and head over to Carefree to puruse this local gem!

Nick Wayne has been serving up craft cocktails using molecular mixology to tipplers in Tucson since 2015. Now he's ready to serve Downtown's public planters with rainwater on tap from HighWire Lounge's brand new 1,600 gallon rainwater harvesting system. This is one of many initiatives HighWire owner Nick Wayne is taking on to conserve Arizona's most precious resource. Read on to learn how he is helping to lead the charge in creating a resilient and self-sustaining Downtown Tucson.

On the second Tuesday of every month, the Verde Village Property Owners Association meets to give community members an opportunity to gather, plan, and connect. We’re proud to have an organization so dedicated to building a stronger community as a Local First Arizona member! Get to know them and why they are excited and dedicated to do what they do.

Adrian y Mary Pineda son los fundadores de Pineda 's Auto Glass LLC, una compañía local en Phoenix, Arizona que abrió sus puertas en agosto de 2010 especializada en el reemplazo de parabrisas y ventanas para todo tipo de automóviles, compostura de reguladores y polarizados.

Esta gran historia de superación nació hace más de 30 años cuando Adrian Pineda aún era muy joven y daba sus primeros pasos en esta industria. Inició a los 17 años en la ciudad de México trabajando para una compañía donde pudo conocer todo acerca de las instalaciones de parabrisas de autos y años después le ofrecieron la oportunidad de poder viajar a Estados Unidos para trabajar en otra compañía por 4 años.

Proudly placed on the corner of 7th Avenue and W. Highland is a local business ready to help you connect to yourself and to this planet we call home. Majestic Earth is a proud LGBTQIA+ friendly business and owner Steve Milweed says his store is full of “gifts from Gaia (the Greek goddess of Earth, mother of all life).”

After graduating two cohorts in the business accelerator, We Rise is launching two new initiatives: The We Rise business coaching program and the We Rise Technical Assistance program. These two programs will cater to entrepreneurs who don’t need or are not ready for a six-month accelerator program, but who still need assistance. These initiatives ensure that those who don’t get selected to participate in the accelerator program still get business support tailored to their specific needs and stages of growth.

This Women’s History Month, we want to make it easy for you to shop local, women-owned businesses. You know who makes that easy? The Collective Market! Found in the Chandler Mall across from Pottery Barn, this holiday pop-up shop turned permanent retailer is home to over 40 locally owned businesses, many that are also woman-owned!

We met up with Owner Raina Dodge to talk about what inspired her to start Collective Market, the importance of entrepreneurship, and why shopping locally matters.

I am very excited to be able to attend the summit in person this year, particularly as I’ll be onstage for one of Lighting Talks. I hope you'll join me at the event as we build networks, inspire each other and then go home and implement the ideas that are going to make our communities more vibrant, resilient and rich.

The Arizona Economic Recovery Center (AZERC) has had a busy year working with organizations across Arizona!

The Arizona Economic Recovery Center is here to help! Don’t miss out on the services provided -we guarantee there is something we can help you with! Check out all the services that the Arizona Economic Recovery Center provides!

It’s Black History Month! One of our favorite ways to celebrate is by supporting Black-owned businesses – especially those in our We Rise program. It’s all about helping businesses get started or expand and we want to be a part of that growth.