To celebrate all of the local businesses in the valley, Local First Arizona partnered with Phoenix Metro to create a light rail wrap and a full marketing campaign for "Shift the Way you Shop," to run through the holidays that will include a mobile app riders can use to find any locally-owned retail store, restaurant or entertainment within one-half mile of each light rail stop.
The mobile app is free and will be available beginning October 12.
"Local businesses are assets to our line," said Metro CEO Steve Banta. "The partnership with Local First Arizona is another opportunity for us to connect with these businesses and provide value to our transit riders."
For the launch, several notable people in the valley will identify their favorite light rail stops and join riders, local first fans, and others to ride and explore their community.
Shift the Way you Shop was inspired by a study that was recently completed in Grand Rapids, Mich., that examined the spending patterns of residents and businesses. Grand Rapids County simply shifted 10 percent of their spending from national to local businesses, the result would be 1,600 new jobs, an additional $130 million invested in the local economy and an increase of $50 million in local wages within one year.