Consideration and Approval of Contract: Green Business Boot Camp - Local First Arizona
 

1. Authorize the contract with Local First AZ for the Green Business Boot Camp Cohort for 3 years with 1 potential renewal of 1 year. Contract shall not exceed $30,000 per year, based on the number of businesses enrolled, with a total amount not to exceed $120,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents.

This is a recurring line item for sustainable economic development in the amount of $30,000. The Flagstaff Green Business Boot Camp is a seven-week program designed to equip locally owned and operated businesses and nonprofits with the knowledge and skills to reduce their utility and operational costs, advance their sustainability efforts, and connect with technical and financial resources. To date, 28 local businesses have graduated from the program across four cohorts. The City will pay Local First AZ $3,000 per participating business, not to exceed $30,000 annually. The number of openings will be capped at ten businesses each year. The initial contract amount was $49,200 in FY24. Sustainability and Economic Development have amended the original contract for the subsequent fiscal years until present. The current amount for one year will be $30,000, but with a 3-year option, it will necessitate Council approval at $120,000.
 

Project Name: Green Business Boot Camp
Cost: $30,000
Account Number Budgeted: 052-07-213-0830-4-4290
FY Budgeted Amount: $24,000 for Green Business Boot Camp and reallocating $6,000 from Innovate Green Program.
Grant Funded: No
Funding Source: BBB- Economic Development

Previous contracts did not meet procurement requirements for Council approval. Economic Development, Sustainability, and Local First Arizona provided an update to City Council in May 2026. 

1. Approve the Green Business Boot Camp contract as submitted.
2. Approve the Green Business Boot Camp with conditions and provide staff guidance on those conditions.
3. Table the contract and provide staff with direction on the next steps.
4. Do not approve the contract. 

The City of Flagstaff Sustainability and Economic Development teams partnered with Local First Arizona to offer the Flagstaff Green Business Boot Camp to local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Throughout the program, participants hear from local experts on topics including energy, water, waste, transportation, and financing as they develop cost-saving projects to make their operations more sustainable. The program culminates in participants “pitching” the projects they’ve developed. Graduates of the program also receive one year of free technical support from Local First Arizona, including grant writing assistance, and access to the low-interest Green Loan Fund. This year, participants had the opportunity to compete for Innovate Green funding from the City and Intuit Grants introduced by Local First Arizona to support the implementation of their projects. Local First AZ is a nonprofit organization that supports local business development and entrepreneurship across Arizona. Local First AZ has several sustainability initiatives in addition to the Green Business Boot Camp, including a Green Business Certification and Green Business Directory, and Local First AZ provides technical and logistical support for businesses that want to implement more sustainable practices. This includes access to a low-interest loan specifically for businesses that graduate through the program. Local First AZ has operated the Boot Camp for several years and has expertise in providing the Boot Camp virtually and in-person to businesses throughout the state. An LFA staff member lives and works in Flagstaff, and they possess intimate knowledge of the economic and business environment in the Flagstaff area. Local First AZ is the only organization in Arizona that operates a Green Business Boot Camp and provides up to one-year of no-cost technical assistance to support businesses in reducing their water, waste and energy usage and costs. Staff did a search for other entities and determined that no one else provides this service in Flagstaff. Businesses and Nonprofits from outside the city boundaries may participate but will not receive city funding through contract and does not count towards 10 business cap. Considering these factors and background, the Purchasing Director has approved this sole source procurement for Local First AZ.


 

High Performing Governance — Implement and communicate innovative and efficient programs. Green Business Boot Camp is one of those programs.
Sustainable and Innovative Infrastructure — Facilitate, develop and encourage carbon-neutral energy opportunities. There is an entire class dedicated to energy efficiency. 
Environmental Stewardship — Implement and enhance sustainable practices. That program will teach local businesses sustainable techniques for reducing waste, carbon output and energy usage. 

CA.1 Identify and pursue specific opportunities to reduce climate impacts. This program teaches businesses how to reduce climate impact.
HE.1 Attract and retain businesses and industries that complement the Region’s vision and priorities and support a stable and healthy workforce. Reducing costs by implementing energy efficient practices will help with retention of employees.

ES-2: Proactively engage the community.
CE-3: Support solar installations.
SC-2: Encourage sustainable consumption.
SC-3: Divert more waste from the landfill.
SC-4: Reduce organic waste.
WS-3 Continue to support water conservation efforts across the Flagstaff community.

N/A

Pillar 3, Strategy 1.: Define What Sustainable Economic Development Means to Flagstaff. 
Pillar 3, Strategy 2.: Establish Sustainable Economic Development Metrics That Support Climate Action Targets. 
Pillar 3, Strategy 5.: Enhance Business Supports That Promote Sustainable Economic Development. 
Pillar 4, Strategy 2.: Strengthen Community Partnerships.