Your Guide to the 2022 Holiday Season
Nov 10, 2022 8:15:00 AM / by Local First posted in Holiday, Local Business
Does your holiday list look something like this:
- Schedule family/staff holiday parties
- Take family photo
- Send holiday cards
- Confirm meal/catering menus
- Exchange names for gifting
- Purchase the perfect gift(s)
Fall Habits that Put People First
Oct 10, 2022 9:31:44 AM / by Local First posted in Local Business, People First Economy Habits
Fall is a magical time in Michigan. A chill has settled into the air, leaves are starting to turn and pumpkin spice lattes are here! It’s a great time to enjoy Michigan’s bounty by picking apples at local orchards, visiting pumpkin patch farms, walking corn mazes and so much more.
Inside the Michigan Good Food Charter
Sep 5, 2022 7:00:00 AM / by Local First posted in Eat Local, Local Business, Inclusive Economy
At its core, what we eat nourishes our bodies and provides energy to sustain our daily routines. But have you ever stopped to think about how the food economy – the systems that allow a local restaurant to serve you your favorite meal or a grocer to stock collard greens on the shelf – could have a larger impact?
Summer Habits that Put People First
Jul 14, 2022 7:15:00 AM / by Local First posted in Local Business, People First Economy Habits
Here we are in the height of summer in Michigan. We’re spending more time outdoors, connecting with community programming, and enjoying time with friends and family. Menus feature locally-grown ingredients, farmers' markets and stands are full to the brim, lakeshore communities are bustling, and Michiganders are getting outside to enjoy our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways.
Get to know Northern Initiatives
Jun 22, 2022 9:30:00 AM / by Northern Initiatives posted in Inclusive Economy, Business Resources
Know Your Lender: Northern Initiatives
Where do they work: All 83 counties in Michigan
What they are: A CDFI! Huh?
Northern Initiatives is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that focuses on providing loans when family wealth is not an option. They provide the types of loans that banks won’t do, can’t do, or shouldn’t do. Typically this is because of low credit scores or lack of equity or collateral to meet traditional bank standards.
Spring into Habits that Put People First
Apr 26, 2022 10:15:00 AM / by Local First posted in Local Business, Inclusive Economy, Move Your Money, People First Economy Habits
Behind the Scenes with Kory Brown, LMCU Commercial Lender
Apr 18, 2022 10:45:00 AM / by Local First posted in Local Business, Inclusive Economy, Move Your Money
Move Your Money relaunched during Financial Literacy Month! Throughout April, financial institutions, nonprofits and human service agencies all ramp up their support so that individuals, communities and businesses alike may evaluate and seek to improve their financial resiliency and impacts.
Did you miss the Annual Meeting on March 10th? We've got the digest for you!
6 Ways to Build Local & Sustainable Habits
Jan 3, 2022 1:06:00 PM / by Local First posted in Local Business, Inclusive Economy, Business Resources, Move Your Money, People First Economy Habits
If you've been following the Local First program for a while, you know we're all about creating opportunities to support local and amplify our membership base. It's these businesses that keep our money close to home, employ our neighbors, and hold themselves accountable to our community. And while we may sound like a broken record, we'll keep saying it: They need your ongoing support.
We’ve learned that building a People First Economy takes more than a single action, one time. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as changing everything all at once. We encourage you to instead think about a single action as the beginning of forming a habit. A good habit.
New habits take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form (European Journal of Social Psychology), which is why we’re going to provide resources all year long.
Need some inspiration? Here are six local and sustainable habits to include in your New Year's Resolutions!