Support LocaL Business
Local Business Supports Local People
Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of world you want. 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.
Buying local benefits your entire local community.
When you support a locally-owned business, 68% of your money stays in our community.
That means new jobs, new wages, and community wealth.
This builds wealth for everyone, and the money recirculates to create jobs and build a self-reliant economy.
Which leads to less stress, and happier, healthier neighbors.
This builds stronger connections and deepens our roots in practical ways with the people we live and work with.
Voice Your Support
Whether you’re a business or consumer, you have a voice and a network. Become an advocate for your local businesses and inspire others to work towards a People First Economy.
When you support local,
68%
of your money stays in our community
Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of world you want
Higher percentages of locally owned businesses mean
communities are healthier
by nearly every social, environmental, and economic indicator.
Why Local Matters
Every dollar you spend is a vote for the type of world you want. 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.
How We Help
Throughout the year, we host a number of community-wide initiatives that bring people together to celebrate local ownership, and encourage our community to vote with their dollar and build people-first habits.
We provide opportunities for businesses to connect with each other through events such as our monthly coffee hour. Our social media takeovers highlight and drive engagement directly to individual businesses. And our seasonal signature initiatives educate consumers and help people find the local businesses they’re looking for through our directory.
One part of a bigger movement
Local First is a West Michigan specific program create by our parent organization, People First Economy. We lead 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.
