About Local First

Local First exists to support a People First Economy through local ownership. We do this because communities with higher percentages of locally-owned companies are healthier by nearly every social, environmental, and economic indicator.

Local First is another way of saying “People First.”

Shift your dollars

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of world you want. Supporting locally-owned businesses means your dollars recirculate in the community, create jobs, and build a self-reliant economy. You become part of an economy that puts people first.

Why Local First?

When you support a locally-owned business, 68% of your money stays in our community and recirculates to create jobs and build a self-reliant economy. It’s also a way to reintegrate our lives and connect in practical ways with the people we live and work with.

Mission

Local First leads the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic needs of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.