We are a network of local business owners, non-profit leaders, and community members who are committed to cultivating a vibrant local economy by promoting independent businesses that value social equity and environmental stewardship. Local First DC has the following objectives: * Educate consumers about the economic, social and environmental benefits of supporting locally owned businesses. * Increase the amount of goods purchased from local, independent businesses. * Connect local businesses to one another and facilitate communication and collaboration between them. We are proud to be a member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a nationwide network of 15,000 entrepreneurs dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. Local First DC was formed in 2006 and is a project of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), a non-profit organization located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.