Over the past decade, the Local First movement has been one of the biggest influences on the economy of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Due at least in part to the tremendous benefits of a strong Local First sentiment within the city, Grand Rapids was recently named the number one city in the U.S. for real estate investors, in addition to continuing to hold its title as the most sustainable midsize city in the U.S. This article will examine some of the ways in which the Local First movement helped Grand Rapids achieve such heights, and how continued support for Local First can continue to help the Grand Rapids economy soar.

Local First is, at its heart, simply a preference for purchasing goods and services from local businesses. This has numerous advantages in a variety of areas: for one, it incentivizes local owners to invest into the community as a whole, as they are both more indebted to the community’s future and less likely to leave than the typical chain store franchise. Furthermore, local stores employ more people and pay them better wages than their national counterparts on average–indeed, local businesses employ more people than any other commercial category in the United States as a whole, and Grand Rapids in particular. Finally, purchasing from local businesses has kept the culture of Grand Rapids unique, which many recent studies suggest has itself positively affected the Grand Rapids economy, as more investors are drawn to the city’s charms.

When it comes to real estate, the best way to support Local First is simply to purchase a home in locations in which one has easy access to local products. Usually, adhering to Local First is simple, but there are a few opportunities unique to Grand Rapids that you might not be aware of–for example, Grand Rapids hosts a number of local charities. By choosing to donate to local charities, you both help the Grand Rapids area, and can more easily see where that money is going. Likewise, working with local banks can be easy to overlook, even though it pays massive dividends in the form of better service and a closer relationship with your financiers. There are lots of ways to give back to the community, and in Grand Rapids, the Local First movement is making it easier than ever before.