Business Development
Building the capacity of small, locally owned businesses through group technical assistance and one-on-one consultations that help to strengthen rural business plans, access to capital, marketing strategies, transitioning legacy businesses, and best practices in rural job creation and HR practices; reinforcing a commitment to “Buy Local” movement and enhancing community awareness of economic and community impact of supporting local businesses.
Business Training & Technical Assistance
Many rural entrepreneurs start a business based on a passion or opportunity, without all of the tools in their entrepreneurial toolkit to truly thrive. Local First Arizona offers a diverse array of workshops that help to build capacity, strengthen small businesses, and to build entrepreneurial ecosystems that bolster the local economy as a whole.
Localism
A community is only as strong as its connection to place. Connection to place is cultivated through initiatives that develop community pride, create health and wellness, engage local youth, promote local entrepreneurs, and inspire future leaders. Local First Arizona is uniquely positioned to help communities build a stronger commitment to a localized economy.
Business Retention & Expansion
A multi-phased approach to entrepreneur development in a way that makes it affordable for the community and less invasive for those working to operate and grow their business. By bridging the gap between entrepreneurial ecosystems and economic development, this turnkey system enhances the capacity for growth in revenue, jobs, and self-reliance for local small businesses.
Access to Capital | Micro-loans
Capital is like oxygen for small businesses, yet small businesses in rural communities have a challenging time getting the capital they need to grow and expand. Micro-loan funds similar to the one created for Graham & Greenlee Counties, offer loans in smaller amounts to local businesses to help them stay competitive in a continuously changing economy.
Succession Planning
Until recently, cooperatives, B-Corps, and employee-owned companies have been foreign concepts in Arizona. Local First Arizona can help rural businesses to obtain a fair market value return and support employees and local economies by providing solid earnings and benefits, increased productivity, and long-term local business ownership that supports local jobs and economic spending.
Follow The Work: Business Development
Community Partnerships
Local First Arizona’s Rural Development team is an active strategic partner in communities and networks across the state in order to grow economic opportunity, retain youth, create jobs, develop robust food systems, and increase revenue through tourism.
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