Local First Arizona is a non-profit started in 2003 by Kimber Lanning to support locally owned businesses. They do this by educating the public about the benefits of local business and by having an extensive database of local business listings on their website.

Local business really defines a city and sets it apart from areas where all there is is the same chains you see everywhere else. Also when you buy local much more of the money stays local, helping out our economy. I’m sure Local First Arizona will thrive in Tucson where thinking local already seems to be more prevalent then Phoenix.

Lanning acknowledges that it can be easier and cheaper to go to the big box retailers. But she said a study in Austin showed that for every $100 spent at a local business, $42 stays in town, while only $13 spent at a major chain stays in town.
“Anyone who feels they are saving more today by going to a chain store is taking dollars out of their children’s pockets,” Lanning said.

Learn more from this article at tucsoncitizen.com

And at Local First Arizona’s own site.

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