Maricopa County's innovative initiative to bolster local small businesses in partnership with Local First Arizona has yielded significant results, with new data underscoring the impact of this collaboration. According to a report released this week, over 5,000 small businesses have directly benefited from the efforts of the County Board of Supervisors and Local First Arizona.
Reflecting on the unfolding economic recovery, Jack Sellers, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, highlighted the importance of the initiative. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy in Maricopa County, and I’m grateful for partners like Local First who are deeply invested in their success and longevity," Sellers told Maricopa County Civic Alerts. A notable 92 percent of the businesses aided by this program are still operational, a testament to the strategic investment of $1 million by the county between July 2021 and July 2023, the report indicates.
The technical assistance rendered, encompassing an array of supports such as operations, financial literacy, licensing, and marketing, was provided in quintuple languages to ensure accessibility for a diverse array of business owners. The Founder and CEO of Local First Arizona, Kimber Lanning, expressed gratitude for the county’s partnership, stating, "With the county’s partnership, we’ve been able to achieve remarkable results, providing one-on-one consulting for more than 5,000 locally owned businesses, resulting in millions of dollars of economic growth for our community."
This partnership emerges as a critical lifeline amidst the harsh economic realities imposed by the pandemic, which saw nearly a fifth of the state's small businesses shutter. The country's investment has been vital in keeping local business owners afloat, rescuing over 600 in the process. Maricopa County has allocated upwards of $90 million in federal relief funds to support local businesses since 2020. For further details and a comprehensive list of assistance programs, interested parties can visit Maricopa.gov/Rescue.
