Localism: Creating a Cohesive Community By: Ashley Christie and Megan Maurillo October 1, 2024 At the heart of La Plata County are people who serve their neighbors in countless ways through their roles working in locally owned, independent businesses and nonprofit organizations that are essential to the fabric of our community. These [...]
Empowering Rural Colorado: Local First and Local Business Institute Awarded Workforce Resilience Grant August 27, 2024 In a significant boost to rural Colorado’s economic landscape, Local First and the Local Business Institute (LBI) have been awarded a substantial Workforce Resilience Grant. This funding, generously provided by The Colorado Community College System in [...]
Celebrate local independent business on Independence Day By Doug McCarthy and Ashley Christie, Local First | Originally published June 28, 2024 in the Durango Herald As we celebrate the anniversary of our national independence, it’s also a good time to celebrate how local independent businesses contribute to the strength of our communities. In [...]
Join Us for the Local Indie Awards and Annual Member Celebration! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 29th, at 6:00pm and join us at the Powerhouse Science Center for an evening filled with music, great food, and well-deserved recognition. This year, Local First’s Annual Member Celebration promises to be a [...]
Move Your Money to Invest in Your Community By Doug McCarthy, Local First | Originally published April 26th, 204 in the Durango Herald April is Move Your Money Month. That means putting your money in a bank that invests in your community. The money you deposit in a bank doesn’t sit in [...]
Work with us! Local First is a community-led nonprofit organization celebrating almost two decades of serving local independent businesses and the greater community of La Plata County. Through our work, we hope to achieve an engaged, thriving local independent business community that values people, planet, and prosperity for everyone across southwest Colorado. We're [...]
Being a Localist Means Fighting for Fairness By Doug McCarthy, Local First The localist movement grew from a recognition that a globalist economy dominated by large multinational corporations does not always benefit consumers and our communities. Weak antitrust enforcement has allowed consolidation of market power in many industries, which disadvantages small businesses that [...]
Deadline Extended to Dec. 31 For Direct Enrollment With Elevate Health Plans Extension announcement! There is still time to enroll off-exchange (directly through Elevate Health Plans) for 2024 coverage beginning Jan. 1. You now have until December 31 to enroll directly. For more information, please call 970-368-5969. If you qualify for a subsidy, [...]
Locals supporting locals – An idea to embrace this holiday season By Mary Oswald, Local First | Originally published in the Durango Herald Friday, Nov 24, 2023 11:51 AM A few weeks ago, I read a Letter to the Editor in The Durango Herald questioning the almost fanatic adoration that many Durangoans hold for [...]
Membership Matters By Lauren Berutich, Local First and Sadie Schafer, Local First | Originally published in the Durango Herald Saturday, May 27, 2023 2:17 PM I fondly remember my first membership to an organization. I was 10 and saved up money from babysitting and my allowance. It was the 80’s and before [...]
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