Local First Utah

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Ogden Local First Chapter Off to an Enthusiastic Start

Although community outreach is nothing new to Local First Utah - a new effort, with a more structured model is in the works, which will help establish self-sustaining Local First chapter groups in communities across the state.

To kick this effort off, a meeting was held last week on March 4th from 5:30-7pm at the City Hall of Ogden, the pilot city for the Local First Community Chapter program. Every chair available was filled with an enthusiastic gathering of about 35 Ogden business owners and Ogden City representatives from the City Council and the Dept. of Economic Development. Brief introductions from those in attendance turned into glowing testimonials of the Local First movement, the importance of communities, and praise for local independent Ogden businesses working together. The success of this initial meeting surpassed expectation and all those in attendance left invigorated with new ideas, networks, and energy. A follow-up organizational meeting is slated in Ogden for early April.

Thanks to all in attendance for the help, suggestions and support in making the Local First movement such a great success. A special thanks for Suzy Dailey for her continued support as a Local First board member and a key part in laying the groundwork in Ogden for Local First Utah. As one attendee noted, this movement is dedicated to the "Give Where You Live" philosophy, and if Ogden is any indicator of things to come, the Beehive State is destined for great progress in the next few years. Local First Utah is looking forward to many more successes in this vein and looks forward to establishing many more self-sustaining Local First chapter groups as part of this ambitious community outreach program for 2010-2011.

BusinessWeek : Consumers Buy Into 'Buy Local'

Read on for some of the latest research on the Buy Local movement from BusinessWeek, with a mention of Local First Utah! Click here to read more.

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SLC Neighborhood Business Conference

Salt Lake City held the first Neighborhood Business Conference on January 28 at the Hotel Monaco. Nearly 250 participants attended including small business owners, business organizations, government officials and staff, and residents. Guest speakers Karen Selander, Seattle’s Senior Community Development Specialist, and Kala Dralle, Tacoma’s Program Development Specialist, presented different ways their cities have established and supported neighborhood business districts. Both speakers were followed by panels consisting of local business members who discussed the opportunities and challenges of creating neighborhood business districts and the resources needed for their success.

For the last hour of the meeting, the attendees separated into smaller groups and discussed practical ways they could establish their districts, the vision they had of what their districts could become, and what resources they need from the city and other businesses. Common themes that emerged from the conference include how groups can beautify their areas from having garbage cans to signage and street furniture. Others discussed the possibilities that are available through forming Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s). Many recognized the need to start with small, manageable projects and that leadership among the districts is necessary. Another benefit of neighborhood business districts is that these areas are sustainable, creating walkable places where people can have a number of needs met. Concerns included how to get all businesses in a district involved rather than just two or three; what funding sources are available for districts; and what the process is to establish a BIA.

All who attended left enthused and motivated to come together as business districts in an effort to see our small business community succeed. As a result of the information given and comments made at the meeting, Salt Lake City is working diligently on a number of initiatives to see our neighborhood business districts form and thrive.

For more information and to view the presentations by our guest speakers please visit www.slcgov.com/ed. The conference will also be shown on the Channel 17 and available soon on YouTube.

Sundance with a Local Twist

Utah's Sundance Film Festival draws movie stars and media attention every year from all around the globe - so what better time to showcase all things local?

Local First has partnered up with Park City Television and (a)perture marketing for 2010 to further extend the reach of local Utah businesses globally for this year's festival.

Come on out this Wednesday, the 27th to join us in Park City for the 2nd Annual Locals Take Back celebration - hosted at the Sidecar from 9pm-1am. Admission is free to locals, and features the work of local fashion designers, visual artists, and musicians.

And don't miss PCTV's promotion of all things local as they entertain and interview guest celebrities and other Sundancers throughout the week. Click here to read more about the local movement on PCTV.

SLC Mayor Becker Applauds Local First Utah

"The Local First Utah organization aptly reminds us that local businesses are, in a real sense, the backbone of any community. It is nearly impossible to imagine our neighborhoods without them. " See the full article here.

Make Your Donation Now!

We don’t charge anyone to become a partner with Local First, and we intend to keep it that way! We currently rely on government funding, our annual fundraiser, and corporate donations to keep our organization running. But in order to be a sustaining organization, we need YOUR help! Even a small contribution will further our mission to educate and boost the cause of small business in Utah. Click here today and show your support.

Other News & Updates

Local First Utah and Kirkham's Outdoor Products Highlighted on ABC's Nightline

Kirkham's Outdoor Products was featured in an episode of Nightline on ABC, and a big thanks goes out to Jack Kirkham for mentioning his involvement with Local First Utah! To…
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Local First Utah featured in this article about Buy Local movements across the country!

Local First Utah was recently featured in this Business Week Online article about the growing popularity of "Buy Local" movements nationwide:
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/feb2009/sb20090226_752622.htm
And don't forget to visit the…
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The 2009-10 Business Directory is Now Available

Our brand new directory lists over 2100 locally owned businesses, making it easier than ever to find a local business in Utah. The distribution of directories to the public is…
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Our Mission

Local First Utah works to to educate the public and government about the importance of locally owned independent business to the community and strengthen those local businesses.