To: Local First Members
Subject: 2025/26 Guide to Local Living is coming back!

Good news Local First is bringing back the Guide to Local Living! The Guide to Local Living is a print directory featuring Local First Members allowing for even more grassroots community engagement. The 2025-26 Guide to Local Living will be printed in the Spring of 2025 and distributed throughout West Michigan to every Local First member business, the Gerald R. Ford Airport, hotels in Grand Rapids, Holland, and surrounding areas, as well as, local banks and credit unions, libraries and more!

We are excited to bring back one of the most beloved member benefits. This project is underway with the support of Michigan-based Harbor House Publishers. This high quality, full-color publication showcases our communities and focuses on our member companies. It is a powerful promotional tool for your company as it reaches thousands of business personnel, residents, and visitors alike. Our Guide to Local Living includes member listings by industry and an alphabetical business index.

For one rate, your advertisement runs in print and digital formats. In addition to the 5,000 print copies distributed, a fully interactive digital edition is also produced. The digital edition presents the reader with a live publication and interactive content, including video. Two digital options are available to you:

  • Direct link to your website from your advertisement
  • Video on your business

As a member, we encourage you to take advantage of advertising in the Guide to Local Living. Your company will gain valuable exposure to thousands of individuals, companies and prospects that utilize the directory to make buying decisions. In addition, you will help People First Economy’s Local First program produce a high-quality business development tool for use by the entire community.

Ellen Trimper, Account Executive for Harbor House Publishers, will contact you soon to discuss options for marketing your business in the 2025 Guide to Local Living & Local Business Directory. Ellen is available by calling (231) 582-2814 Ext.130 or visit www.harborhouse.com/localfirst.

Thank you for your commitment to championing the think local first message in West Michigan!

Best,

Carlos Martinez, President
People First Economy