Local First wants your dollars to stay in Durango

You've heard the call to economic arms before:  Think Global, Shop Local.

Local First is part of a bigger international movement led by indepenedent business owners across the world who are busy educating the public about the benefits of spending their money locally.

Basically, they're the little guys who have managed to stay in business in the face of the nearly impossible price competition of corporate giants like Wal-Mart.  They realized that rather than trying to beat low prices, they'd appeal to a consumer's sense of community and ask for their money in exchange for locally-grown products and services that are ultimately better for the environment (they don't travel as far) and better for the growth and health of the local economy (money doesn't leak out to corporate owners in far away places).

"We're trying to emphasize why people should spend their money in La Plata County rather than spending it in Farmington or online," explained Local First managing director Carol Clark. "The organization has been in development for a little over two years. It started as business owners and community members working on the 'Be Local Coupon Book. As a result of the success of the book, we were able to hire additional support staff."

Local First just released their second Be Local Coupon Book (which can be purchased online or at local businesses including A Shared Blanket, April's Garden, Durango Coffee Co, For the Birds, Zia Taqueria and many more).   Clark describes the book as much more than just a collection of coupons and deals on local products and services.

"It's more than coupons, it talks about the importance of these businesses," Clark explained. "We talk about the local multiplier effect and try to look at the economic pie and what it really means to spend your dollars locally."

And now that the book is out, Clark says Local First can start developing other programs and projects that help spread the organization's mission.

"From food farming programs to energy efficiency programs in local businesses, " Clark said. "We're in the process of developing what our next project will be, but out first step is to develop the Look Local First campaing and really help the community understand what it means and why it's so important."

----------------

Local First Links

The Look Local First Campaign.

Local First page (contact info, membership info and more).

Look Local First blog.