Local First Utah Op-Ed

Local First Utah’s blog often focuses on the human energy that propels our independent business community. But today I’m going to switch entrepreneurship for concrete kilowatts. You see, Utah’s energy system has some problems. Two of the gravest—air pollution and rapidly rising prices— have local solutions.

In January this year, The Salt Lake Tribune alerted consumers to the grim reality of rising energy rates because, quite frankly, we’re using a lot more of it: “Due to what it describes as the rising demand for electricity throughout the state, the utility warns Utah consumers may see annual price increases of 8 percent to 10 percent annually for the next decade.” This year, rates will only increase by 4.7%, a reduction of the power company’s initial request, but a reduction that suggests Rocky Mountain Power will be back before the Public Service Commission next year asking again for another hike.

It seems that as long as our energy needs keep rising we’ll have no choice but to pay the higher rates. But alternative energy proponents disagree, believing that as long as we’re investing more in energy now, it should be in sources that will continue to generate energy for the long haul. That, rather than gradually paying more for “traditional” and ultimately finite sources—sources that are, arguably, much more harmful to our health.

So, what…are we talking about solar panels on our roofs? We just might be. We just might be. But that idea is only part of the equation, which, it turns out, is literally what we are talking about: an equation. In fact, the equation is a series of integrated calculations that maximizes energy inputs from renewable energy sources at the moment of their peak generation that is designed, eventually, to largely or completely offset dependence upon coal and natural gas.

“One of the biggest arguments against renewable energy,” notes HEAL Utah’s Energy Analyst Arthur Morris, “is that it is intermittent and therefore cannot be predicted and therefore cannot be integrated. But Morris says we can look at meteorology as a useful comparison. “Everyone knows you can (to an extent) predict the weather. Is it perfect? No. But it’s a damn fine ballpark.” The equation forecasts both energy needs and energy generation.

Look, we’re paying more for energy—even self-styled “cheap” fossil fuels. That’s a reality. We will continue to pay more as long as alternatives aren’t developed. Investment in alternative energy can ensure that some of those most vulnerable to constantly increasing rates—small businesses—can remain sustainable for the long term.

That’s Local First Utah’s mission to the core.

In Search of Innovation

But please note: the following opinion does not necessarily reflect that of Local First Utah or its sponsors. The ideas are, however, concerned with protecting the public health of Utah’s citizens through responsible, local energy development.

Embedded, traditional energy structures have effectively maintained status quo by delivering what had been for a long time the lowest-cost energy on the market. Improvements in technologies harnessing alternatives sources, including wind, solar, and geothermal are beginning to level the playing field—and they avoid external costs (those not factored into the projected rates) of public health.

In short, think of all those “red alert” air days in Northern Utah during which it is recommended that children, the elderly, people with autoimmune disorders, and anyone who cares about breathing stay inside.

The fact is we have some of the worst air in the nation. As Utah Department of Environmental Quality points out, our winter inversions cannot be prevented, but the pollution that gets trapped in the valley and in our lungs can. While surrounding western states such as Colorado and California have legislated tough renewable energy standards, Utah is lagging behind, in spite of the impacts of our dependence upon fossil fuels on our health.

I have blogged before about local energy. Remember Moab? “The localization movement encompasses more than just food production. Moab (for example) is already harnessing healthier, renewable energy in the form of wind, a commitment that earned the city the distinction of being the Nation's First EPA Green Power Community.”

States generate (and often export) energy from a variety of energy sources, including both traditional fossil fuel-based energy and more modern, renewable sources. While a number of states have legislated renewable portfolio standards (RPSs), Utah has simply established renewable energy goals.

Utah’s code “requires that utilities only need to pursue renewable energy to the extent that it is ‘cost-effective’ to do so” based upon an “assessment of whether acquisition of the resource will result in the delivery of electricity at the lowest reasonable cost, as well as an assessment of long-term and short-term impacts, risks, reliability, financial impacts on the affected utility, and other factors determined by the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC).” The idea is to ensure Utah ratepayers are given the lowest cost, lowest risk energy. While the short-term low cost of fossil fuels is appealing, the elevated rate of environmental illnesses in our children is not.

The Local Solution: Wherever Local Is

There are several entrepreneurs and independent business owners working locally to develop and manufacture energy that can help nurture a transition to cleaner, safer, more local energy. But it will take an investment by people and local government to ensure their viability and competitiveness in a market flooded with cheaper products from abroad. Local energy production should ideally combine domestic manufacturing with renewable, localized, and readily available sources. Even the conversation about building costly twin nuclear power reactors in Green River is troubling in part because the power is likely destined to leave Utah, doing nothing to ensure Utah's energy independence. Meanwhile, the recent conversation about reducing our dependence upon foreign oil has turned our focus to domestic natural gas and, more recently, controversial oil "tar" sands from Canada.

We can do better.

An expert in air pollution and a leader in renewable energy development says he has the answer to powering the future world’s energy needs using only renewable sources. He is Stanford professor Dr. Mark Jacobson, and he will be visiting Utah on November 15th to discuss his plan for a safer, cleaner, and independent energy future. Dr. Jacobson will be visiting in conjunction with a fundraiser for a local nonprofit that has led grassroots efforts to keep foreign and excessive radioactive waste out of Utah—and which is looking to the future of Utah by supporting research that improves the health and integrity of our state through thoughtful, local development.

The same brand of initiative and ingenuity that define America—or better still, the sheer industriousness of Utahns—will power our future. Indeed, these ideas are not so big a shift from this blog’s core after all. It’s energy entrepreneurship driven by human entrepreneurship. They’re ideas that, in the long term, protect and empower independent businesses in our great state.

Day 3: The Final Day

It reads ominously: Day 3. Like the third day in a movie after the alien ship first occupies the expanses of the sky over the city or a virus takes hold of some remote Middlesex, Village, or Farm. Day three. Indeed there was a bit of indecision and anxiety hanging over the day as it was to be the last of our whirlwind tour through parts of southern Utah. In fact, we would only get to make a few quick stops in Boulder, Escalante, and Bryce Canyon City before finding ourselves obliged to make haste for home in time for our evening responsibilities.

Each place had its unique identity, but still felt tied to the greater whole: the unifying spirit of Local First Utah’s mission. Nowhere, perhaps, are our ideals better exemplified than in Boulder, where we awoke to a hot late spring sun.

More precisely, we awoke about seven miles down the Burr Trail, where we had securely tucked our camp the night before. We wearily found our way back to the town and set our sights on the Burr Trail Trading Post, where the coffee we drank was among the few (out of necessity) non-local ingredients (though it was appropriately sourced from Logan’s Caffe Ibis). The many crafts, essential oils, and miscellaneous goods, wares, sundries, and what-have-yous were largely all products of the community’s drive and imagination. It was certainly geared toward a tourist economy, yet it managed to retain an authenticity and tie to the people who call the high elevations of Boulder their home.

For more on the community of Boulder and, specifically, Alyssa Thompson’s Boulder Mountain Baking, please see a digital copy of the Fall 2011 edition of edible Wasatch or pick up a printed copy at one of the magazine’s advertisers.

After paying our respects at the Anasazi State Park Museum, we began our ascent up beautiful Scenic Byway 12, which soon wound its way onto a narrow ridge called The Hogback overlooking the canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Calf Creek Recreation Area. We briefly stopped by the Kiva Koffeehouse, constructed of locally sourced materials and tucked ecologically into the hillside, but soon departed, making our way along the several more extraordinary miles of the monument.

We arrived in the 1876 Mormon outpost settlement of Escalante and held a few more excellent conversations that solidified two realities: The first is that Local First Utah had a presence but there remained a divide between the local economy and the tourist economy, with no bridge between them demonstrating to the tourist economy the importance of their choices and their spending to the towns.

The second reality is that Local First Utah does want to return, but with a plan to help enable the remote areas to harness tools and resources to act independently but with the guidance of the central organization.

Once again, our limited staff and budget inhibits our dreams and our mobility, but we remain a truly statewide organization. Each community demonstrated the kind of unity and passion that we have come to expect of our unique places in all corners of our vast state, unified by common industriousness, independence, and will to persevere. The Utah family of small, locally owned businesses partnered with Local First Utah is one of the biggest networks of its kind for a reason: Utah chooses local out of respect for our state’s heritage and with the desire to see our neighbors and friends succeed.

As we passed through Panguitch on to U.S. Highway 89 en route to rejoining the masses traversing the land across Interstate 15, some of the heavy rain clouds characteristic of this year’s peculiar spring began to darken the sky. We were driving home, back into the rain and weather that was delaying the growth and green of springtime earlier this year. We realized that it had stayed clear and calm throughout our visit in Southern Utah, a place that had also seen unseasonably late and heavy precipitation.

We wished to linger longer and continue the conversation, but the timing was right. When we could return, we did not know. There is work now to be done back at the office, including, but not limited to, organizing case studies and research to further back up our mission.

But what else? How else can and should Local First Utah have an impact? The intrepid residents of Boulder and similar communities throughout Utah are increasingly remembering and demonstrating just how much is possible locally—from the food system to local energy and services, the self-sufficiency of previous generations is being reclaimed.

While our modern conveniences, manufactures, and diversions are clearly the product of the global supply chain, sent overseas for cheaper labor, lower overhead, and fewer regulations, the very least we can do is support our local vendors of these wares, ask for the best, and share what we have. Some things will never be made locally, but almost everything can be purchased from a local business. So what aren’t we purchasing locally that we can? What else are we capable of doing here that we haven’t been?

The real message of Local First Utah is independence through a thriving, energetic, and unified network of locally owned businesses and services. How can you keep more money—whether in any of Utah’s stunning southern outposts or in the sprawl of the Wasatch Front—local? Please share your thoughts below. Oh, and we’ll see you at Celebrate the Bounty!

--By Andrew Dash Gillman

Finger on the Pulse

Understanding Torrey’s business identity, or feeling their “pulse,” means recognizing who they are as a community traditionally and where are they are presently, particularly considering the challenges of the economic downturn.

Janet Borg's impression of the community neatly sums it up: “One of the really interesting things you’ll find in the rural areas like this is it’s transitioning. 15 – 20 years ago we were independent; we didn’t really want to be bothered…now, the economy has affected us too, and people are finding partnerships, networking, [and] working together is much more effective and important than it ever has been before. So rather than exclusive silos we’re finding more of this collaboration.” It’s just good people who are working together in a common struggle, and improving their community as a result. When it comes to local first ideology, there’s room yet for education and implementation along with localized research.

Ms. Borg says that they’re “having a hard time…tracking and selling the concept of how much money does effect the local economy when you do buy local.” That said, the Wayne County Business Association has developed and printed a poster [see image at left] that precisely and poignantly explains the significance of buying local. But Ms. Sudbury says they want to take it to the next step, back it up with facts and case studies and “find out what’s not being purchased locally that could be…to make it a really meaningful campaign.”

The goal is to “engage people.” But how? What makes a campaign meaningful? What engages locals and visitors alike and calls attention to the importance of their actions?

Ultimately, we’re not just bandying about case studies and facts; Torrey wants to see useful data “fully engage residents and help the business owner.” There is some work yet to be done. Of course, the more self-sufficient smaller towns like Torrey likely do manage to better circulate dollars in the local economy, but a lot of people who move there shop at Amazon.com or go to the Wal-Mart in Richfield.

Words and Image by Andrew Dash Gillman

Next: “Honoring the Rural Lifestyle”

The People and Businesses of Wayne County, Utah:

The words “firecracker” and “sparkplug” were recurring themes at Local First Utah’s meeting at Capitol Emporium consignment in Torrey, Utah late this spring. Present at that meeting was the esteemed delegation from Local First, and Torrey’s Janet Borg, Shauna Sudbury (of Robber’s Roost Bookstore), and Ted Winder. Sparkplugs, to say the least.

Firecrackers and sparkplugs are the highly motivated people who stimulate organization and drive change, bringing people together to achieve their goals. The action packed second day of Local First Utah’s May outreach tour through some of Southern Utah’s most extraordinary spaces highlighted several important and recurring themes. But our conversations also brought to our attention some actionable items for Local First as an organization, particularly as we look to our future through the fresh- and focused-eyes of our new Executive Director, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

So what’s up in Wayne County these days? In and around Torrey there is a vibrant organization of local businesses that revolves around Ted Winder and the Wayne County Business Association. So as not to leave anyone out, the WCBA incorporates Bicknell, Caineville, Fremont, Grover, Hanksville, Loa, Lyman, Notom, Teasdale, and Torrey. That, thanks in large part to the organization skills of the Certified Travel Counselor Mr. Winder, and a core of determined local business owners with a passion for their community. The main objective is to create a sound network through economic information and marketing help designed to “strengthen and honor our rural lifestyle.” Winder committed his “winter and spring, literally,” to strengthening the WCBA with an impressive color-coded member business guide and map of the region geared toward tourists.

So what role can Local First Utah play in Wayne County?

Currently, Local First Utah is refocusing its efforts from building its network to strengthening its network. That was the answer to Janet Borg’s very important question, “To Local First, what does success mean?” Success currently means taking our 3000-strong partner base and turning them into independent advocates for the mission. Staff and financial limitations prevent Local First Utah from physically visiting every corner of our great state with much frequency, but if we can identify motivated local advocates for the mission, those community sparkplugs, we can harness those partners’ influence and investment in their respective community to take charge in organizing local businesses around the common themes of unity and strength, with regionally specific collateral and promotional materials to back it up.

Text and Photo by Andrew Dash Gillman

Next: “Finger on the Pulse”

Morning came too early on the Colorado. Poor reception in the canyons the day before had prevented us from finalizing our morning appointments, but we acted on the tentative plans and wandered into the reception area at the Red Cliffs lodge in search of its proprietor. Alas, we were later than expected, and would have to make due with breakfast on the patio overlooking the river until he became available.

Colin Fryer fits into this scenery. He and his son Will pretty much built the facility from the ground up, which helps explain why the retired cowboy is still feverishly working to maintain the place. His conversation with Matt Monson was terse, succinct. His demeanor commands respect and being of few words only underscores their meaning. The doors to his lodge proudly display the “Buy Local First Utah” stickers, something he supports as much as he can. That includes the winery, just up the hill, where Will Fryer is coming into his own as a winemaker (for more information watch for the fall issue of Edible Wasatch), gradually adding new equipment to improve and make more efficient his occupation—but he’s also eager to help jumpstart a stronger Local First Utah movement in Grand County.

To begin, Will suggested hosting an event in Moab like our October fundraiser, Celebrate the Bounty. The Fryers have very generously donated Castle Creek wine to our fundraiser in Salt Lake, but we learned from our time in Moab that the Local First base is quite strong and we might be able to generate interest in a similar arrangements closer to Will’s home. He even offered to donate his space, a beautifully built reception hall with a patio overlooking the Colorado River. Obviously, we’d love to make that happen, though our bandwidth as a staff in Salt Lake may prevent our being able to coordinate it. That said, having identified the space and a network of support in the area, we’ll be looking to identify key community leaders and business owners who have an interest in bringing together local businesses, producers, and restaurateurs in a celebration of all things that make Moab—all year ‘round—a great place to live and work.

Please let us know your thoughts on the idea for a self-sustaining Local First Moab sphere of Local First Utah, and if you’d be interested in either participating in, or organizing a community fundraising celebration.

In the meantime, Mr. Fryer is continuing to hone his skills and release increasingly great wines made from Utah and regional grapes. He’s even garnered a couple of awards for his efforts, and other local winemakers are beginning to take notice. Wine grapes have been successful grown in the region for some 30 years, but Will is capitalizing on what makes them so unique. His wines are available throughout Utah at state liquor stores, but you can also buy direct from the winery, even on Sunday.

Will Fryer’s enthusiasm for Local First Utah was a great start to our day, but the startlingly organized response from Wayne County Business Association president Ted Winder truly rocked our fact-finding worlds. Mr. Winder effectively turned a day loosely organized around a few uncertain stops in town into a minute-by-minute over flowing with meetings and interactions from some of Wayne County’s most invested business people.

Alas, we were slightly delayed in Moab, so we obliged to bypass our partners in Hanksville and Cainville in order to make a meeting in Torrey. But the drive, full of Southern Utah’s natural splendor, told us it wouldn’t be long before we returned. So to Torrey we drove, aching as we passed through Capitol Reef, obliged not to stop at all in one of the nation’s most alluring national parks. Next time, next time.

But there’s a lingering thought…a Local First Utah Moab-based “Celebrate the Bounty.” There certainly is a lot of potential. What are your thoughts? Comment below or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have ideas or would like to help organize an event that celebrates and unites the people and businesses that make Moab unique.

Words and Images: Andrew Dash Gillman

The Moab Economy

When last we spoke, a bit of an economic divide in Moab was unfolding. There are many facets breaking down that divide, but in its simplest, gentlest form, the divide is between the seasonal, tourism-driven economy, and the year-round economy.

Some business owners provide year-round services, while others are largely only able to cater to tourism, offering goods of little or no interest to residents. The dialogue is tricky because on both sides of the conversations are legitimate business owners trying to make their living, which with many consumer goods isn’t feasible given the town’s size, hence the drift of business and purchases outside of Moab.

One hope is that some intrepid soul or brilliant entrepreneur is able to carve out a living selling necessities while also supporting themselves. That may not mean a competitively prices electronics store in which to purchase a 72” 1080p HDTV, but it could mean expanding lines of basic apparel and household needs outside of the outdoor gear that most outfitters provide. Village Market’s Mr. Washburn has seen the constraints of the economy and gas prices combine to lure in more local business, but he has also committed to sourcing local products, distinguishing his store both to residents and to tourists through dedicating a portion of its stock to the local economy.

It’s a great start. Yet the localization movement encompasses more than just food production. Moab is already harnessing healthier, renewable energy in the form of wind, a commitment that earned the city the distinction of being the Nation's First EPA Green Power Community. Maybe the next step is learning to use completely regionally available building materials in conjunction with modern building knowledge to maximize energy efficiency within households and businesses. Well, maybe if Moab were a transition town like the one depicted in The Economics of Happiness.

The Voices of Business Owners

Ultimately, Local First Utah can’t answer all the questions. But as we continued our listening- and fact-finding tour we did hear a lot of optimism. Desert Thread’s Cathy O’Connor notes, “A lot of locals really try to support us and also pay cash.” O’Connor’s colorful shop sits next to the 100% wind-powered Moab Times-Independent, though it was a somewhat recent move, part of the town’s “rent-motivated musical chairs.” The difference in rent between O’Connor’s shop just off Main Street and those whose storefronts face the main drag is astonishing. But the fact remains, most tourists simply don’t wander all that frequently off the main strip.

For O’Connor, it’s okay: “You don’t start a yarn business to get rich. But then our overhead is different too. You can sit on yarn for a long time.” That’s not to say she isn’t kept extremely busy with her business. “As a shop owner you don’t have the time to do the things Local First is doing.” And Desert Thread is one of those businesses that offers something not seasonally specific.

Around the corner, the BARKery’s Jessica Turquette has been fortunate to see her business grow though her property commands ahigher rent. But her specialty dog and cat boutique is definitely a year-round service, though obviously adventurous pets accompanying their owners into Canyon Country during the tourist season spurs a spike in business. Either way, the Farmers Market/Sam’s Club divide is apparent to Ms. Turquette too, but she acknowledges if you want, say, lady’s clothing that doesn’t say “Moab,” you’d have no choice but to pick it up on a trip out of town—even keeping a list for a special trip to Salt Lake (where people where clothes that say, “Moab.”) For many goods and some services, that may well be the only option. But who is going to drive their dog to Sam’s Club in Grand Junction when they can get everything they need in town, including a self-serve dog wash?

Making the Local Shift, where Possible

To be sure, Local First Utah’s philosophy maintains that neighborhoods thrive on diversity, and not everything can be local, let alone produced locally. All things considered, many business owners in Moab seem encouraged by the support of residents. Indeed, if more make the local shift by handling everything they can in Moab, they’ve done the most any of us can do anyway. In larger cities, where there are more options facing every consumer decision, the local shift is complicated even further by matters of price and choice. But if the next closest choice is two hours away, it may well be that the best choice is the local choice, even if it costs slightly more in Moab (which it also may not), offset by time and fuel and money diverted to unintended expenditures. As more options do become available locally, perhaps it will raise the standard of living and allow residents more time to enjoy the place most people come only to visit.

Team Outreach Spring 2011 split at the junction of Center and Main to better canvas the town in the short remaining time. While there won’t be time to mention all of our stops from this (or the morning’s work), it is worth mentioning that my afternoon’s refreshment was provided by the previously mentioned Castle Valley Creamery, whose delightful honey goat’s milk yogurt I purchased at the Moonflower Market, another partner business that is a “non-profit natural foods store featuring organic and locally grown produce, natural and organic foods, organic to go prepared deli items, and high quality supplements and personal care products.”

The staff at Moonflower was quite busy during my visit, providing ample time to photograph their commitment to the burgeoning local and regional food economy (see gallery below).

But what of that pending visit with Mr. Bob Owen at Fresh Moab Coffee? Well, we had no idea the treat that was in store for us as we stood by the Overlook Gallery peering down the dirt road, or even whether or not Mr. Owen was on hand. The ensuing discussion occupied nearly an hour, with Mr. Owen embodying several tenets of our philosophy. He was like a mouthpiece for our mission, and living proof of the benefits that come from dealing with a passionate and compassionate small business owner.

Alas, as I have already unburdened myself of a great many words on the first day in Moab alone, I shall reserve this discussion for a special edition blog post.

The sun is already lowering toward the high sandstone mesas and since Matt Monson and I had traveled several hours and talked to several business owners as well as city officials (and now the town’s restaurants were filling with patrons while many of the shops were closing down for the day), we decided we had earned ourselves a short hike. Directly surrounded by the expressive beauty of the Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah, it’s hard not to answer the call of canyon country’s many random and wild places. It’s a place that has inspired innumerable poetic reflections but, alas, my own are not for this blog.

It would turn out that thanks to the organizational prowess of the Wayne County Business Association’s president Ted Winder, tomorrow’s schedule would be packed. For now, let’s just see if we can’t reach Hunter’s Arch…

Photos and Words: Andrew Dash Gillman

Day 1: Moab and a Visit with Mayor Dave Sakrison

Enter an alleyway next to the place called Overlook, walk down toward a brightly colored building but not as far as the trailer. Last door on the right. In a bigger city, such dubious directions might have dissuaded a more cowardly crew. And standing in front of that alley, it was even less welcoming. But this was Moab, so we walked down the sandy road until the three fellows, two sans shirt, sized us up and inquired after our intentions.

But more on that later. Welcome to the first day, in depth. If you missed the introduction and feel totally, totally lost, here's the introduction.

The story presently finds us in the Village Market speaking with store manager Kevin Washburn. Local First Utah Statewide Coordinator Matt Monson had summoned the gentleman because of his mission to gather information, or “fact-find.”

Indeed, Mr. Monson had hoped to spend as much time listening as speaking. In the past, Local First had visited Southern Utah towns intent on spreading the word about Local First and our message with the specific focus of signing up partners.

An educational nonprofit by definition, when Local First Utah visits Utah’s many unique towns and communities it is always with the intention of strengthening the statewide network through conversation and communication. The conversation is about partners helping partners and consumers that make the local shift as well as encouraging local governments to level the playing field to help small business owners be competitive.

So what’s the story in Moab these days?

Well, Mr. Washburn notes that “there used to be a lot more out of city shopping before the economic downturn and gas prices.” He finds fewer people are leaving town for goods because their prices aren’t that different from the big box stores in, say, Grand Junction, some two hours away. And that is not to mention the Village Market has focused on supporting local producers ranging from Moab Ice to Castle Valley goat’s milk products and farmer-direct producer during the summer.

The challenge is that Moab doesn’t have everything that residents need. That sentiment would later be echoed by Mayor Dave Sakrison and the city’s economic development director, Ken Davies.

Washburn identifies a misperception about conditions in Moab: “People think we live in God’s country and that we must have died and gone to heaven to work and live here but we live in poverty.”

As for the needs of the residents, aside from a few necessities, the town is limited to the Moab-themed memorabilia reserved for tourists. It is because of the focus on seasonality tourism that many residents go on unemployment during the offseason, which raises a question about the year-round sustainability of the community. How can Moab develop a thriving, sustainable local economy, when the economy is primarily driven by tourists during the tourist season? It’s a tough question, and possibly not one with answers.

In search of answers, no better people to talk to than the Mayor and his Economic Development Director, eh?

Aye.

The Meeting

On time for our scheduled meeting, we parked near the intersection of Main and Center and perambulated east. Yes, we actually perambulated, as opposed to merely walked. We were on a mission.

The corner office of Moab’s city building was open and Mr. Davies and Mayor Sakrison were waiting, a glass bowl of miscellaneous and individually wrapped candies center-pieced (that’s a verb now) on the coffee table.

The team in the mayor’s office immediately expressed support of the mission of Local First Utah, recognizing that it is “a good idea,” but not entirely certain how best to implement the brand to have the greatest effect in their unique community. And unique it is. To be clear, “Grand County has only 9,000 people, and 8,000 live here in the valley, including 5,000 in [Moab]…”

That, Mr. Davies observes, means “It’s a fairly small market with other economic forces at work,” namely not having a large enough market to make viable the businesses that sell the more everyday things that average consumers may need.

“So we have to find what markets [and products] local businesses can carry to be price-competitive enough that it’s the same or close to the same...” In other words, the city of Moab and Grand County in general needs to identify what businesses can work there, and focus on capturing that share of the market while recognizing that they will always have to leave town for some things. It’s true anywhere, but in a town like Moab, it would be nice to isolate some of the bare necessities (or “Bear Necessities,” if you’re so inclined) that are missing and find a way to make them work locally.

The reason is simple: “People want to support local economies. They really do,” notes Mayor Sakrison. “That’s what makes Moab so unique.” Not having the large merchants is part of the cultural fabric that defines Moab, but it also severely limits the local economy’s reach.

Matt can’t help but ask whether the Wal-Mart battle has been fought in Grand County, and indeed it had—to an extent. But the larger battle may be internal: “This is a community without consensus,” Mr. Davies says, so he believes the focus should be on how the money recirculates.

Local First veterans are very familiar with the multiplier effect that shows how much more money (3.2 times more!) stays local when money is spent at a locally owned, independent business versus at a chain. If you’re new to Local First and reading this blog out of curiosity or the sheer love of blogs, then take note: We’re talking three times more money recirculating locally from money spent at local businesses because those business owners are more likely to support other local businesses and more of the tax revenue generated stays in the state.

That’s the big positive, if not the biggest, and one of our most favoritest. We don’t want to dwell on the negative. In fact, you might say we wish to eliminate the negative while accentuating the positive. That’s Local First Utah at its finest.

But at the end of the day, you can’t expect consumers to pay twice as much for something. That’s a fact. But another fact? The perception of price inflation at locally owned, small businesses isn’t really accurate. Some things may cost a little more, okay, but that cost is frequently offset by other factors, including the obvious travel time and gas prices. But other studies are emerging that show larger retailers often lure consumers in with underpriced items with the hope of luring them into shopping around, and maybe leaving with several additional items they weren’t planning on getting.

It’s fascinating consumer psychology at work, indeed, but it also raises questions: how much should something cost? The eggs at the supermarket versus farm-fresh eggs at the Farmers Market is one of the clearest-cut examples. When you know how the eggs are produced and their cost is subsidized at the supermarket, you don’t want to spend so little on them. (Not to mention the difference in taste. Okay, it’s mentioned. $0.99 eggs are terrible.) But these questions can occupy a great deal of space, and are, perhaps, better left to the philosophers. For our sake, we just want to support our friends and neighbors in their endeavors, their small businesses, and their lives.

For former small-business owner Matt Monson, it’s clear:  “Local ownership means local involvement.” That means looking at the net input of a business into the community, and recognizing how those communities are interacting to maximize what is already working while nurturing growth within them. Mr. Davies sees actual meetings of business owners as the best course of action to help nurture the Local First message. With or without community meetings, the idea still raised the question, “What can Local First do?”

Local First at Work

Everyone agreed the message is best served through continual reinforcement in the form of direct outreach. It also means looking for ways to reframe the argument: “There’s only so many ways you can say ‘local’ and ‘community’ before you run out of adjectives,” laughs Monson. Regardless, the Mayor supports tangible street campaigns that show the benefits of the Local First philosophy in order to empower business owners without seeming pushy. People should do it because they want to. Luckily, that was the plan.

But what does it mean for business owners?

Well, Local First works to identify key challenges determining business and consumer behavior. If a product, let us say, tires, are available locally, why should a consumer choose to support a local provider instead of driving somewhere where the price may be a little cheaper but the service totally remote? The answer is that price shouldn’t be the only incentive. The responsibility falls in the hands of business owners to provide exceptional service. In other words, says Mr. Davies, “You can offset any local price increase with an increase in service and response and recognition that you know the person you’re buying from.” In a town where people make on average $15,000 less at a comparable job in a larger city, that kind of community is critical to survival. Indeed, it promotes a rather active, underground trade economy which is great for small businesses. It’s definitive of small towns, and an older-model economy.

Whew.

That was quite a conversation. Perhaps in his determination to gather information and listen, Matt got more than he bargained for. Or maybe he got exactly what he needed. The next leg or our journey was exactly what the Mayor and Mr. Davies sought: an active ground campaign, door-to-door. We would be limited only by time and the encroaching holiday business traffic. But despite those limitations, we were encouraged to see Local First Utah undeniably had a definitive presence in the seat of Grand County.

The question was, in a tourist economy, what impact could a Local First organization have?

Author and Photos: Andrew Dash Gillman

Introduction:

Best laid plans and rough itineraries tucked neatly into their mental back pockets, Team Local First Utah set out for Moab on the morning of Wednesday, May 25. While statewide Coordinator Matt Monson was picking up the rental car and running back home to grab some extra gear, volunteer feller Andrew Dash Gillman began stacking his crates and barrels curbside downtown, the word “Moab” handwritten—better—scrawled on the back of an unfinished screenplay, and colored in with blue highlighter. It had taken several weeks to lock down a time, but the window finally opened. It was three days wide, was that window. The greyish Chevrolet Cobalt soon pulled up, the gear piled in. What followed would be a Local First Utah outreach trip for the ages, as timeless as the radically diverse geology of the part of the state to which they were traveling. You may read about their timeless, whirlwind tale here, a tale in four six parts, in Mr. Gillman’s own words:

The Mission:

Cobalt (Cobalt. That’s what we called our car.) had already carried us beyond our Spanish Fork exit for Highway 6. We were wrapped up, perhaps, in the thrill of future adventure and the narrative of adventure past, so we were consequently obliged to turn around in Payson and find our way back. It was a quick reminder that Moab, and really much of Southern Utah, is in actually quite close. We lamented having to pass through many great towns along the way, but were a bit constrained by time and intent. Many of these towns would have to wait until a future trip, and we had a meetin’ with the Mayor of Moab that afternoon.

The first stop would be the Moab Brewery for lunch. We were optimistic about possibly meeting with some business owners, but with the tourist season already in full swing and the weekend of Memorial Day approaching, many were already understandably tied to their businesses—and our notice was a trifle short. Either way, Moab's only microbrewery, located at 686 S. Main, has been serving up great food and locally brewed beer since 1996, and both were of interest to these weary travelers.

Refreshed, our outreach began in earnest with neighboring businesses. But a word is necessary explaining our mindset:

In the past, Local First Utah set out to aggressively recruit new partners, building a network and database statewide of locally owned, independent businesses. Now, almost 3,000 strong, we had a new goal: to listen. We hoped to field questions, fact-find, and find out how we could best serve these unique communities. So we set out to find some facts.

The optimistic tone of the trip was early set by the service manager at Chile Pepper Bike shop, who was happy to listen, happy to voice his opinion, but extremely busy tuning up an eager customer's bike. While Matt explained our mission, I was sipping espresso from the shop's coffee bar that was pulled, I quickly found out, from fresh-roasted beans by Moab’s own (and Local First partner) Fresh Moab Coffee. The proprietor of Fresh Moab Coffee, I was told, was someone with whom we should speak. So I procured directions to “Get a Job” Bob Owen’s place of business, and tucked that into my actual back pocket. I had no way of knowing what a valuable lead that would be. Suffice it to say for the moment, it was quite valuable. I would go so far as to say that conversation was illuminating.

Indeed, virtually every one of our interactions added a unique perspective to the conversation. The dialogue was as diverse as the town, and (for the most part) Local First was a welcome addition to the conversation, putting a face to the organization, and explaining the importance of our three-pronged, education-based mission (by way of reminder: showing consumers, business owners, and local government the importance of local businesses to our state and economy). Many were genuinely excited by the presence of a centralized, statewide voice to help unify business owners in a common goal. But we needed help to do it right. People had ideas. Good ideas. Whirlwind.

And Moab is only the beginning of the story. In a few short days we traveled many hundreds of miles from Salt Lake to Moab, Moab to Torrey, Bicknell, and Loa, and then over the mountain to Boulder. A night camping on the Burr Trail then a trip down the serpentine Hogsback into Escalante before slipping over to Bryce Canyon City. Time ran out and we were only able to wave at Panguitch as we passed through, but our hopes were high for a quick return to the places and the people that make up our partners, and future partners, all across Utah’s magnificent southern half.

Author and Photos: Andrew Dash Gillman

Intro Pargraph by E. Van Winkle