How did I travel Boise, Idaho like a localist?
Hi, I am Kathleen (People First Economy’s Director of Engagement) and I’m a localist!
If you’re a localist like me, you value exploring a new community like a member of the community – often sipping, eating, and experiencing things off the beaten path. Every community has its own flavor – a distinct makeup of neighborhoods, local businesses, and scenery to take in. I have two big goals with each trip I take:
- Have fun experiences
- And invest in the community I’m visiting.
It’s important to me to see something truly unique to the place I’m staying and be mindful of my impact on the community. Your dollars act as a vote for the type of place you want to build and sustain. I know that where I spend my dollars makes a difference (in Kent County, 73% more money stays in the community when it’s spent at a local business). As a visitor in a new place, my presence and investment have an impact. How do I hold to these values while I travel?
Sister programs to Local First West Michigan around the nation help me to do this! Local travel ideas are made easy with the business directories these organizations compile. When I use these tools to search local coffee shops, outdoor recreation opportunities, restaurants and activities; I know the dollars I spend will stay in the community AND I’ll be investing in experiences only that city can provide.
On a recent trip to Boise, my friends introduced me to Think Boise First – a nonprofit program similar to Local First West Michigan that connects and promotes locally owned and independently operated businesses, while educating the community on local products and services and the economic benefits of buying local. It was through Think Boise First’s window clings (found on retail storefronts) and their online directory that I found joyful restaurants, museums, experiences, and boutiques local to Boise (pictured below). During my time there, I was also able to patron Lost Grove, Boise’s newest B Corp brewery!
What better way to express my gratitude than sharing all the local Boise treasures I loved!
You can do this too! Along with the warmer weather, West Michigan summers bring visitors who see our home through new eyes. It is a great reminder that our place is special because of the people and the businesses that make our community joyful, resilient, and vibrant. Whether you’re welcoming guests or exploring what a West Michigan summer has to offer, Local First has got your back! The businesses in our directory are key to sustaining a circular economy – keeping our money close to home, creating jobs, and taking leaps of faith to bring unique and high-quality products and services to our community. If you are a person who buys goods and services, you are a big part of this equation.
Here’s how you and your visitors can make an impact in Michigan this summer:
- Use the Local First Directory
- Search by neighborhood, category, ownership type OR keyword
- Seek out Proud Member Window Clings on retail storefronts
- Check to see if the businesses you want to visit are offering promotions and discounts
- Likewise, check to see if these businesses are hosting any upcoming events
- And help spread the word!
- Share with the owners and employees that you stopped in to support a local business and/or found them on a Local First directory
- Tell your friends and family, either by word of mouth or on your social media, about the businesses you most enjoyed visiting (don’t forget to tag the businesses you support and @localfirstwestmi)
- Make your social media stories extra fun with Local First’s Instagram stickers (simply search “local first”)
Summer is a magical time in West Michigan! I can’t wait to see how you and your guests experience all our community has to offer and shift your spending to locally owned businesses. A local economy that puts people first is possible when you think local first.
My next destination is Portland, Maine. And you know I’ll be using the Portland Buy Local directory to curate my stay!
Share your West Michigan travel stories with us at membership@localfirst.com and @localfirstwestmi.
