About Local First Wheaton

Mission

Local First Wheaton supports and celebrates a vibrant Wheaton by promoting and advocating for independent, locally-owned businesses.

Vision

Local First Wheaton envisions Wheaton as a local living economy comprised of thriving, locally-owned businesses and characterized by economic prosperity, social equity and environmental kinship.

Goals

The goals of Local First Wheaton are to:

• Promote the unique character of Wheaton’s local business community to residents and visitors.
• Educate consumers about the economic, social and environmental benefits of supporting locally owned businesses.
• Connect local businesses to one another and facilitate communication and collaboration between them.

History

Local First Wheaton was born in August 2007 as a natural response to a concrete problem that the business community in Wheaton was experiencing: legislation in the Montgomery County Council to extend the functioning hours of the parking meters in the urban districts. This proposed change threatened all businesses in the area and ignited a campaign to repeal this clearly unpopular measure. A petition was organized and in a very short time received over 300 signatures. As a result of the combined pressure from businesses in the Wheaton, Bethesda, and Silver Spring parking districts, the legislation was unanimously repealed in the County Council.

After this success, some small business owners recognized the possibility that a more sophisticated alliance could represent their interests in Wheaton. They believed that unity is the key to getting things done--and in some cases is essential for survival--and that an alliance like Local First Wheaton will allow individual businesses to have a collective voice and better respond to the changes that the area is experiencing. The ongoing redevelopment plan in Wheaton is needed, but could put at risk the future of the diverse, locally-owned and family businesses if there is not an effort to strengthen these businesses.

This initiative was featured in local media.

Local First Wheaton is supported by a full-time staff member of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), a nonprofit organization located in the Wheaton Urban District and one of the founding members of the alliance.