Advertiser News – June 2010: A Local Economy (Local First Arizona …

Advertiser News – June 2010: A Local Economy (Local First Arizona) Editors Note: we offer space for our advertisers to talk about their current news – get to know our advertisers!Striving for a Local Living EconomyBy Deanna Cheva and Lisette DeMarsTucson Green Times – June 2010

Local First Arizona (LFA) is a member of a national coalition of buy Local networks called the Business Alliance of Local Living Economies (BALLE). LFA Founder Kimber Lanning and Tucson Representative Deanna Chevas traveled to the annual convention last month to learn more about the national movement and to meet and share ideas with other network leaders. the energy was amazing!

Nearly 500 people from around the country and world gathered to learn more about what each of us can do to buy more locally, reduce our carbon footprints, and educate consumers about the importance of local economies.

Attendees included government officials, community activists and business owners who hosted sessions on issues, including marketing local business coalitions; green and sustainable business practices; strategies for communicating with local governments; and how best to include underserved populations in the Local Living Economy movement.

Network leaders brought their unique challenges to the conversation. Some networks are regional, some are statewide, and some serve small cities or towns; many of them seemed challenged by their own local governments. At the city level, Local First Arizona has been fortunate. Kimber Lanning has been very successful gaining support from the City of Phoenix. the Tucson City Council also has been receptive and supportive of LFA’s work with and for the local business community.

BALLEs interest in growing and supporting Local Living Economies (LLE) starts with supporting the local organizations that are creating the LLEs.

This year’s convention was the third for Lanning, who feels the main purpose of the convention is to share best practices and problem solve together. Words used over and over at the convention were collaborate and cooperate. These are concepts LFA encourages member businesses to utilize, working together and within the community, including non-profits and community-based organizations. Network leaders spoke of a need for more communication among the networks throughout the year. they can support one another all year long and collaborate on finding better ways to serve their communities.

LFA is already doing its part to encourage Arizonans to shift their spending to local independent businesses with ad campaigns, the Phoenix and Tucson newsletters, and sponsored events. this was the 7th annual BALLE conference and with such sponsors as inc. and Ode magazines, RSF Social Finance, GreenBiz.com and Nature’s Path, it is clear BALLEs vision for the future is shared by many others. on BALLEs website it is stated:

“We envision a time when local economies not only generate community wealth, but also are catalysts for civic action, social diversity and ecological health – for sustainable communities.”

As a member of BALLE, Local First Arizona shares the vision of a local living economy created through collaboration and sustainable business practices. Members of LFA, in turn, share these concepts and integrate them into the way they conduct business. the Local First Arizona online directory has a separate category for green/eco-friendly businesses.

National Independents Week is June 29-July 5. look and listen for Independents Week specials offered by Local First Arizona businesses. KXCI has generously offered to help get the word out about this event. we are celebrating the diversity of our community through many independent business members. Declare your Independence from the chain stores and support the Indies! to learn more, listen to KXCI 91.3FM and subscribe to the LFA newsletter.

Authors: Deanna Cheva is a member of the LFA Tucson Area Steering Committee and Lisette DeMars is the LFA Tucson Membership Coordinator.

About Local First Arizona: Local First Arizona represents the largest coalition of dues-paying locally-owned businesses in the country, and is now considered an advanced network. Along with Buffalo NY, Philadelphia PA, Bellingham WA, Boise ID, low Country SC, and Seacoast MA, Local First Arizona continues to be a driving force in helping people learn how to Go Local. this supports our community and positions it for sustained growth well into the future.

Together, the coalitions are working to unveil a national campaign called the 10 percent SHIFT that will encourage consumers to spend 10 percent more of their money at local rather than national businesses, which will keep additional money in our local economy and create more jobs at the same time.

Local First Arizona was the 2009 recipient of the Tucson Green Times Community Strength Award.

For more information about Local First Arizona, contact Lisette at (520) 837-4234 or visit online: www.localfirstaz.com

See Local First AZ ad, page 2, june 2010.