About
Local First Ithaca is a 501c3 nonprofit organization
Mission
Local First Ithaca brings people, businesses, and organizations together to create a successful local economy that uses resources, experience, and inclusiveness to create a thriving and livable community
Who we are
We are an inclusive network of independent, locally owned businesses & services, farmers, non-profits and community members.
We are a network of AMIBA, American Independent Business Alliance.
What we do
Create awareness by educating members of the community, through media and seasonal Buy Local campaigns, about the importance of voting with your dollars to build a thriving local living economy
Educate our community about the economic, social and environmental benefits of supporting local and independently owned businesses
Collaborate/Partner with existing local organizations/groups that are working towards similar goals to multiply the impact of our mutual missions.
Support local businesses through group promotion, market development and encouraging sustainable practices.
Provide a voice for small businesses to influence the governmental issues that affect them directly by advocating for policies at the local, state, and national level.
Work to keep more dollars in our community through events and other programs that build our local economic capacity.
Local First Ithaca is part of a growing network of locally rooted, business alliances representing thousands of independent businesses across the U.S. and Canadian provinces. These networks create local living economies through the building blocks of independent retail, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green building, local zero-waste manufacturing, community capital, independent media, and local arts & culture.
We envision a sustainable global economy as a network of local living economies, building long-term economic empowerment and prosperity in communities through local business ownership, economic justice, cultural diversity and a healthy natural environment. Independent businesses create wealth by engaging local people in the production, marketing, and consumption of goods, they pay taxes, and reinvest in our communities.
