City of Phoenix working to attract locally-owned businesses

The city of Phoenix is spending more on locally-owned businesses, according to one organization.

Kimber Lanning, the executive director of Local First Arizona, said the city is attracting local businesses by giving them priority when it comes to procurement contracts.

“[For] any contract under $50,000, the city puts all of those contracts through a process where they look for Arizona companies first,” Lanning said.

She explained that is why Phoenix has gone from spending $50,000 a year on procurement contracts with local businesses to over $2 million a year. Lanning added that the local business climate in Phoenix is strong.

“We are seeing a definite increase in the number of local businesses and you’re seeing more and more people are choosing to support locally-owned businesses,” Lanning said.

Lanning added that the next generation wants to have a unique experience, and they are spending their money with unique brands. For those who want to start a business in Phoenix, it’s affordable and the consumer-base is open and welcoming.

“We’re going to see a lot more independent businesses coming in [to Phoenix],” Lanning said.

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