Across the country, locally-owned, independent businesses are coming together to inform customers about the benefits of “looking local first” for products and services. Here in La Plata County, local business owners have come together with non-profit organizations and motivated volunteers to form Local First (formerly known as LOCAL).

The mission of Local First is to help locally-owned, independent businesses and organizations thrive as they work together to build an economy that values people, the planet and prosperity for everyone.

What is a locally-owned, independent business? View the critera. If you have questions, please contact us.

Local First is a project of the Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED) Committee of the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado, pursued in partnership with the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center and other local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups operating in La Plata County, Colorado. The long-term goals of the project are to:

• Increase the percentage of customer spending on locally-owned, independent businesses
• Raise awareness about the benefits of supporting locally-owned, independent businesses and creating a more community-based, collaborative economy
• Help locally-owned, independent businesses thrive by providing training, resources, and support
• Build community and pride by finding fun ways to express our local La Plata character
• Facilitate the success of creative enterprises that increase the self-reliance and resilience of the local economy and build the natural, social, cultural, and financial capital of the region.

With your support in 2010, Local First will:

• Produce the 2010 Be Local Coupon Book, a marketing opportunity for independent businesses that last year became a badge of loyalty to county and community.
• Create an online directory of locally-owned, independent businesses for La Plata County that will help customers find what they need close to home.
• Organize social events that bring the community together and spread the “local first” message throughout the county.
• Help locally owned, independent businesses do business with each other and reap the benefits of cooperation.

Founding Members of Local First

We want to send a big THANK YOU to the Founding Members of Local First. Each Member has committed $1500 to the start of this exciting project!  Founding Members include:

Animas Trading Company
April’s Garden
Brainstorm Internet
Carver Brewing Company
Cyprus Café
Durango Coffee Company
Durango Magazine
Durango Natural Foods
Durango Telegraph
Inside Durango TV
Maria's Bookshop
Open Shutter Gallery
The Payroll Department, Inc
Pine Needle Mountaineering
Ska Brewing Company
Strater Hotel
Sunnyside Farms Market
The Spaaah Shop and Day Spa
There’s No Place Like Home
Zia Taqueria

The Local First Message

Having strong, local businesses whose owners live in the county benefits everyone. All businesses create jobs, generate tax revenue, and contribute to community life. But when the owners of those businesses live locally, they often shop locally as well, for themselves and for their businesses. This spreads the wealth of each purchase throughout the community.

The longer this money stays in the community, the higher our quality of life. A study in the Chicago area showed that locally owned businesses circulate 70 percent more money back into the local economy than chain stores. Plus, independent businesses keep our corner of Colorado unique and prevent us from looking like Anywhere, U.S.A.

Independent business associations—in places such as Fort Collins, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Bellingham, Washington—are having an impact:

• In Bellingham, 58 percent of residents surveyed reported that the association’s Think Local First! Campaign had impacted their purchasing decisions.
• In Santa Fe, the Locals Care Card discount program has boosted local business by linking local purchases to community donations. There are currently 120 businesses and 10,000 customers participating in the program.
• In Fort Collins, residents bought 2,500 copies of their Be Local Coupon Book in five months based solely on word-of-mouth advertising.

In these cities, “local first” campaigns have been effective because there is an organization working to raise awareness year after year. With guidance from national organizations, such as the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), we have joined a nationwide movement to revitalize local economies.

Read the recent article from the Durango Telegraph

Local First Steering Committee includes:

Jim Dyer, Director, Southwest Marketing Network
Roberta Eickman, Owner, New-in-Town Welcome Service
Katy Pepinsky, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata
Marcus Renner, Director, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center
Tom Riesing, Director, Oakhaven Permaculture Center
Peter Schertz, Owner, Maria’s Bookshop
John Trousdale, Inside Durango TV
Tim Wheeler, Owner, Durango Coffee Company Retail Stores

Board Members:
Jim Dyer, Member at Large
Dyer Wool

Roberta Eickman, Chairperson
Body Strategies, and New in Town Welcome Service

Joshua Jackson, Secretary
Durango Natural Foods

Kirk Komick, Member at Large
Leland House and the Rochester Hotel

Donna Lynas, Member at Large
Occassions Bridal

Peter Schertz, Member at Large
Marias Bookshop

Teresa Steeley, Member at Large
Community member

Timothy Turner, Treasurer
Zia Taqueria

Tim Wheeler, Vice-Chairman
Durango Coffee Company

Staff
LeeAnn Vallejos, Managing Director

Juliet Whitfield, Project Manager
 

Interested in Joining Local First?

For more information on joining Local First, please click here.