VITAL COMMUNITIES
Local First Alliance engages businesses, organizations, and citizens to strengthen our local economy.
Recognizing that regional prosperity grows from communities actively building economies that strengthen and sustain the places we love — we work to promote, encourage, and support our local businesses.
Local First Happenings
Upcoming Digital Marketing Workshops for Local First Businesses
Funding for this technical assistance is made possible in part with a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA Rural Development.
The Local Crowd Upper Valley
Funding for this project is made possible in part with a Rural Business Development Grant from USDA Rural Development.
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen — one that would strengthen your business, our community, and the local economy — if only you had the funds to make it happen?
Apply for Round 2 of The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley by February 15, and your idea could get a boost from a TLC community crowdfunding campaign!
Welcome to
The Local Crowd Upper Valley!
The Local Crowd Upper Valley (TLC Upper Valley) is a collaboration of regional economic development and community building supporters working together to cultivate a stronger ecosystem of investors, service providers, and local economy champions to provide access to capital to both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors throughout the region.
By leveraging the power of crowdfunding, TLC Upper Valley’s fundraising platform will help start-up ventures, early-growth stage companies, and community-based projects find access to capital.
Keep Your Dollars Where Your Heart Is!
Locally-owned, independent businesses play a crucial role in creating jobs, strengthening our community cohesion & enhancing local character!
Keep the Upper Valley a great place to live, work, and play and think local first when dining out, banking, hiring professional services, or shopping for anything.
Membership
What's Happening
Renewable Energy Funding for Small Businesses
Get the information you need to move forward with a renewable energy or energy efficiency project in Vermont or New Hampshire. Join Ken Yearman, Rural [...]
Improve Your Small Business Digital Marketing Presence!
Calling all Upper Valley farms and small businesses!
Could your business benefit from professional consulting services to improve your marketing? Wi [...]
TLC Upper Valley Success!
Local Investing Success with TLC Upper Valley!
The Local Crowd (TLC) Upper Valley is a locally based crowdfunding platform that empowers individuals [...]
Rooted in Community = Giving Back All Year
Locally owned businesses are rooted in the Upper Valley and donate time and money every month of the year as they support nonprofits, schools, and co [...]
Shop Indie Local this Season!
Every dollar spent at a local, independent business returns 2-4 times more to be re-spent in the community than a dollar spent at a non-local business [...]
Exciting TLC Projects to Fund!
Invest in your community and contribute to these exciting campaigns!
Whaleback Base Lodge Energy Efficiency Updates, Enfield
You might [...]
Welcome Norwich Solar Technologies!
We are proud to welcome Norwich Solar Technologies as a Local First Promoter Sponsor! The White River Junction-based renewable energy compan [...]
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
Local Businesses, Farmers,Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives:
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen?
Want to grow y [...]
Fat Hat Clothing-Keeping it Local for 40 years
Forty years ago Joan Ecker started Fat Hat Clothing Company with free fabric remnants and a treadle sewing machine. Today F.H. Clothing Company is a n [...]
Supporting Social Enterprises
Exciting news! Local First is one of five sites across the country participating in a National Science Foundation research project to pilot The Local [...]
1. Move your banking to a community bank or credit union, and invest your money in tangible assets like land, or with organizations like the Cooperative Fund of New England that invest in community control.
2. Rent out a room in your home, or swap space for gardening, child or elder care, or carpentry
Advisory Council
Nichole Romano, Great Eastern Radio
Ken Wells, Chair, Mascoma Savings Bank
John Tunnicliffe, King Arthur Flour
Nancy LaRowe, Manager, Vital Communities
Ed Fox, Co-op Food Stores
Ira Richards, West Lebanon Feed & Supply
Sponsors
Champions
Co-op Food Stores
Mascoma Savings Bank
Green Circle
King Arthur Flour
LaValley Building Supply
Great Eastern Radio
Valley News
Vital Communities
Promoter
Chippers, Inc.
West Lebanon Feed & Supply
Ledyard National Bank
Sustaining
A.B. Gile Inc.
Fat Hat Clothing
Jake’s Market & Deli / Jake’s Coffee Co.
John Ring CPA
Lyme Green Heat
Nomad Communications
Simple Energy
The Skinny Pancake
Village Green Publishing
Our program is underwritten by these community partners
