VITAL COMMUNITIES
Local First 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 & economy.
Support the Local Businesses & Organizations You Love!
Upper Valley businesses are suffering and we need to be there for
them now, so that they’ll be here for us after this crisis.
- Keep your dollars here while staying safe! Order take-out or eat al fresco, open an account at a local bank, buy gift cards to your favorite places, eat local and buy direct from farmers with an online store or visit a farmers market, keep your local subscriptions/memberships
- Find Upper Valley businesses that are open during the pandemic by searching the Vital Communities Guide.
- Support local businesses! Give to your favorite businesses and organizations through TLC 4WARD, or contribute to a restaturant employee fund or virtual tip jar.
Find Open Local Businesses and Farms. Search the Vital Communities Guide.
Join Local First- New Membership Model!
Take advantage of the resources and projects that can help your business and our economy on the long road to recovery. Local First has a new, more inclusive, membership model, so join us as we work together for an Upper Valley economy that is more local, fair, and green!
Keeping dollars in our economy is the key to community resilience and by joining Local First, you are letting your customers know that they are choosing to support our economy and community when they shop.
Join Today!
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
Why Bank Locally?
Where You Bank Makes a Difference!
When you use a bank or credit union rooted in our community, you're making a conscious choice to support our local [...]
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives:
Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen?
Wan [...]
Study Underscores the Benefits of Buying Local
A study commissioned by Vital Communities finds that, for every dollar they earn, local retailers and restaurants return a share to the local comm [...]
Crowdfund Revels North’s Christmas Revels Film!
Give Today to The Christmas Revels' 2020 Production!
Will the COVID-19 Grinch steal The Christmas Revels? Perish the thought! This year The Christmas [...]
TLC 4WARD Crowdfunding for Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is suffering due to the effects of the pandemic and could use a little help from your friends? TLC 4WARD [...]
Donation Platform for UV Businesses
Do you own an Upper Valley business that is impacted by Covid-19 and could use a little help from your friends? TLC/4WARD is here to help.
Vital Co [...]
Give to the Businesses You Love!
Wendell Berry once said that by choosing to support a local business in your community, you're essentially telling that business owner, "I want you to [...]
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 [...]
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
