COVID-19 has led to some spectacular creativity as businesses have found ways to survive. Whether it be moving online, offering delivery and pickup, or utilizing social media more, Arizona businesses have needed to adapt. Some businesses have even needed to completely change what they do. Meet Rebel Lounge, the Orpheum Theater and Club Congress; these businesses are usually venues for concerts. Venues have been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, they were the first to close and will likely be the last to open. Due to this, the Rebel Lounge and Orpheum theater needed to find new ways to bring in revenue and stay afloat.

When you go local, your present for a loved one isn’t only raising that person up, it’s raising up your whole community. We know that some folks are a little nervous to get out for a shopping trip so we wanted to make it a little easier for you to find those local gems online, now and in the future. Below are some great items from our recently debuted Shop Arizona Marketplace! With 100 businesses and 500 products and much more coming in, we are sure you can find that special something that makes a perfect gift!

Congratulations to the 12 incredible businesses and nonprofits that completed the second 2020 cohort of SCALE UP! Each participant developed a unique project plan to reduce energy, water usage, waste, and/or transportation in their business. Here is a quick overview of some of the inspiring projects!

Just in time for the holiday season, Local First Arizona, in partnership with local marketing firm Ideas Collide, will launch Arizona’s go-to online marketplace for discovering and shopping directly from local businesses and makers across the state. In response to a hard economic year and the need for safe, holiday shopping, the Shop Arizona Marketplace will help small businesses from all industries compete in a digital world and reach new customers now and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s no secret that Arizona’s housing market is booming. Due to this growth however, many communities are now experiencing housing shortages, especially in rural Arizona. The result is a lack of housing available at a price point attainable for the majority of the working class.

In the United States, agricultural land is being lost at an alarming rate—over 1.5 million acres per year. This dramatic decline in farmland reflects a nationwide expansion of urban development that is putting high-quality farmland at risk. Arizona and Maricopa County face similar issues with farmland loss. Between 1997 and 2017, 36% of all farmland in Maricopa County was lost, and rapid urban development and the high cost of land continues to threaten the security of community farmers and the local food system. 

Whether you're a company with five employees or 1,000, payroll is one of the most important tasks that you need to accomplish as a business owner. It can also be one of the more tedious and time-consuming. When you have a question or need help, the last thing you want is an answering machine on the other line or an answer of “visit this link to find your answer” Local businesses Cactus Corn, Duck and Decanter, and others have had this problem and found a solution with Journey Payroll. 

The holidays are fast approaching and we know exactly what that means; lots and lots and lots of food. We wanted to provide you with an easy guide on what to do with the food waste in your home and how you can help reduce how much food is wasted.  

We’ve got some new local businesses in our Certified Green family! Meet the businesses that are doing their part for the environment and show your appreciation by choosing them for your purchases, sending a note of thanks or engaging with them on social media.

While being sustainable is incredibly important, many business owners believe that it demands too high a cost; there are thousands of articles about the “True Cost” of sustainability. It is important for business owners to know that going green is absolutely possible and, at times, can actually be less expensive than the alternative. A great local example is Wist Business Supplies; Wist is dedicated to improving the environment and provides cost-effective options that are sustainable. 

The Clarendon Hotel and Spa in the Encanto area of Phoenix is getting a local makeover and revamp. Known for its boutique feel and central location, the Clarendon has been a favorite of not only visiting vacationers but of our own Phoenicians looking for a local escape. Not only are they adding a rooftop bar but they have also added the Lazy Bee Spa and Fuego Bistro, both locally owned businesses. Their glow up is focused on celebrating what makes Phoenix unique and sharing the rich history Arizona has to offer.

Not only have businesses needed to adapt and pivot during COVID-19 but so has the way we interact and take care of each other. This is especially true at Hospice of the Valley, an end of life care facility located in Maricopa County. COVID has changed the way that the volunteers at the Hospice of the Valley help the residents. While they cannot be there in person, many volunteers have found other ways to take care of their fellow man. Thank you to Lin Sue Cooney, director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley, for sharing these stories of community and care.

Local First Arizona is expanding on its work of building an inclusive, diverse local economy through a new initiative, the We Rise Business Accelerator program. Tailored to Arizona’s Black-owned businesses, at all stages of development and all sectors, We Rise will equip businesses with the entrepreneurial skills and resources to thrive and become part of a larger network of like-minded entrepreneurs.