LFA Sustainability is embarking on a major update of our programs and has a lot of news to share! First, we are celebrating the latest business to become certified through the Arizona Green Business Program: OneOhOne Gallery in Mesa.

The Town of Camp Verde has a sustained partnership with its energy provider, Arizona Public Service (APS), to assist with community and economic development efforts. The next step of this program - Focused on Success - is a more targeted strategic planning effort focused on driving responsible and sustainable growth, utilizing both traditional and non-traditional development initiatives.

After six months of mentorship, strengthening their business models, building financial skills, gaining access to capital, and safely exploring the social aspects of being a Black-owned business in Arizona, We Rise’s first cohort is ready to graduate on July 31st!

We met with five of the soon-to-be graduates to talk about their experiences within the program and how it’s helped their business

Local First Arizona is working closely with employers to gather labor market data to understand the workforce needs of the region as it relates to mental health. There are only three organizations currently providing mental health services locally. Two out of three of those organizations agreed that there isn’t an issue of lack of applicants, it is a lack of qualified applicants for mental health positions in the Gila Valley. Outside of the three organizations providing mental health services, a few related organizations stated that they would like to be able to offer mental health services to clients but they do not have the resources or know how to find the resources to expand their services.

Florence is a town built on grit and determination, and through conversations with the community members, this quickly became the inspiration behind the brand.

A melting pot of people, Florence is a place with so much beauty both in and around the surrounding desert and mountains. Visitors often come to Florence for one of their many events which range from car shows to rodeos and music festivals. Businesses and the community are welcoming of guests and invite them to explore the many shops, restaurants, wineries, historic sites, outdoor adventures, and more.

Local First Arizona hosted a third and final roundtable discussion on April 8th in Lake Havasu to introduce the Lake Havasu Food Alliance brand concept to community members, share about Lake Havasu Food Alliance’s upcoming projects and events, and spark interest in attendees to become more involved. 

Conversations from this and the last two roundtable discussions helped the group to identify some exciting LHFA projects to tackle in the future such as a ‘Homemade in Havasu’ cottage (home-based) business market, a ‘Restaurant Row’ event hosted on the main downtown street featuring local restaurants, and partnering with Mohave Community College and Arizona @ Work to provide free restaurant staff training to local businesses.

Laura Nachmanson es una empresaria local originaria de Morelos, México. A sus 33 años y luego de 3 años de mucho trabajo logró emprender su primer negocio en Arizona.

El deseo de emprendimiento que nació de la idea de volverse independiente y contribuir de una forma más positiva a su comunidad a través de un servicio profesional y de alto estándar de calidad fue como le dio vida a DocuMovil el 5 de noviembre de 2019, una empresa orgullosamente local que brinda servicios de preparación de documentos y notaria en la Ciudad de Guadalupe, Arizona

With home prices soaring and the housing supply shrinking throughout the Phoenix Metro area, the dream of home ownership has become an elusive reality for many potential homebuyers. Home ownership has become especially difficult for those making less than the area median income, which is $79,900 for a family of four according to HUD.

June 5th is World Environment Day, designated by the United Nations as an opportunity to focus on ecosystem restoration and protection. The UN’s Ecosystem Restoration Playbook highlights the importance of different ecosystems and actions that can be taken on restoration projects. Fortunately, Arizona is home to amazing groups doing incredible work to help combat the issues outlined in the playbook. Check out some LFA members that are restoring the state’s varied ecosystems.

In partnership with the Mohave County Workforce Board, Local First Arizona connected Creative Care with the Arizona@Work Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) program that now funds them not only to conduct training for their own new hires but also to provide CNA training to anyone in Mohave County who would like to attain their CNA license. This has created a workforce pipeline for all of Mohave County and is providing Creative Care with diversified income that they can utilize for their staff and facilities.

With disappearing farmland, an ever-present threat of drought, and limited distribution channels, the summer film series addresses how Arizona farmers are overcoming these issues to bring fresh produce to your table.

Young professionals in Kingman have expressed that they feel disconnected from their community, especially for those who relocated to Kingman during Covid-19. Outside of meeting people through work, connecting to other young professionals in the area has been a challenge. This is creating high turn-over rates for many local employers as young professionals are leaving due to the inability to connect with their new community outside of the workplace.

In support of the State of Arizona’s sustainability goals, Local First Arizona’s sustainability team will advance electric vehicle charging stations as demonstration projects in Arizona in 2021

It’s adventure season and we’re kicking it off with National Road Trip day! What better way to explore Arizona than with a plan that keeps your passions and interests in mind? Check out this Local First Arizona approved road-trip guide that aligns with your devotion to supporting small businesses, diverse communities, local food producers, and environmental action across the state. We’ll see you out on the road!

The seven businesses and organizations that came together to participate in the 7-week sustainability project planning series share an important ideal: collaboration is necessary for sustained and equitable systems change and to create healthy communities. 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!

Maria Fuentes es madre, empresaria local y dueña de Seguridad Latina junto a su esposo Juan Gerardo Iñiguez en la ciudad de Phoenix, Arizona desde 2004.

Ser ama de casa, madre y empresaria es algo muy complicado, algo que Maria Fuentes lo sabe de primera mano, “Siempre se debe de buscar un balance, soy madre de 2 hijos, esposa y además llevo las finanzas de nuestra empresa, no es facial, si soy sincera, pero cuando las cosas se hacen con amor y propósito todo fluye positivamente, nunca dejes de soñar porque como madres siempre seremos fuertes y nada nos puede detener”

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and that presents a great opportunity to learn more about #StopAsianHate and how to be a better ally.

El 5 de Mayo ya está muy cerca y aun no sabes si lo festejaras o cual seria la forma más segura de hacerlo durante la era de pandemia. No te preocupes, siempre habrá opciones donde podrás hacerlo de forma segura y sobre todo apoyando a tus negocios locales de Arizona.

Pero primero que nada ¿Porque celebramos el 5 de Mayo?

In November 2020, Local First Arizona interviewed Duncan residents, business owners, elected officials, working professionals, volunteers, and parents to gain an understanding of spending patterns resulting in either dollars recirculating in the local economy or leaking out of the local economy.

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce was experiencing pressure from a variety of angles. Members were struggling to stay afloat and a Chamber membership did not rank as a high priority when facing workforce challenges, added costs safety and wellness precautions, past due utilities and rents, and lost revenue for almost a year.