Simply-put: The Local Multiplier Effect.

This means that every time you spend with one locally-owned independent businesses in the Inland Northwest, you are assuring that almost 50% of each purchase is recirculated again locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at big box stores and chain restaurants.

Live Local is part of a movement to reconnect local residents to their local economies by developing a digital Live Local Marketplace. This serves as a place for local consumers and businesses to find each other, and to help drive local dollars back into our communities at this critical time of economic recovery. The financial support for Live Local started with the City of Spokane and CARES Act funds, but now includes diverse regional partners including the State of Washington Department of Commerce and Innovia Foundation.

No, it doesn't. Listing a business on the Live Local Marketplace is completely free. In fact, because the marketplace just makes connections, there's no hidden fees anywhere, and that's how we want it. The marketplace is also free to use for consumers. The marketplace services are paid for with generous support from the Innovia Foundation, Washington State Department of Commerce, and many others who believe in the power of local economies.

Live Local connects your business to a valuable base of regional consumers who recognize the value of spending locally to maximize the impact of every dollar spent. Some businesses are too small to reach beyond their own communities. The Live Local Marketplace helps consumers across the region find them, and for established businesses, the marketplace offers a great way to find new customers.

Sign-up is simple. Complete the business registration form here, then watch your email for account confirmation complete with login and setup instructions. From there, you'll be ready to begin creating a business profile and listing products for sale on the marketplace.

Each business on the marketplace can list unlimited products, services, or deals on the Live Local Marketplace. Businesses are highly encouraged to feature top-selling or exclusive products and deals to maximize Live Local customer engagement and website referral traffic.

No. The Live Local Marketplace does not currently provide the ability for purchases directly. Instead, we help the customer find your business we connect them directly to your business where transactions are completed online or through other means you set up for your business. This helps keep the Live Local Marketplace a free service for businesses and consumers.

Live Local INW provides services that benefit independent and locally-owned businesses that are part of welcoming communities across the Spokane and Eastern Washington. Startups, micro, and home-based businesses, as well as women, minority, veteran, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses are especially encouraged to utilize the Live Local Marketplace. Live Local INW partners reserve the right to remove any listing or business from the free services provided. You must be both independent (not a franchise, chain, or remote office from outside of Eastern Washington) and locally-owned and operated, and you must agree to receive SIMBA's monthly (email) newsletter to remain on Live Local INW.

Yes. Even if you don't have a website with ecommerce capability you can create an account on the Live Local Marketplace and add a PayPal "Buy Now" button. Here's how.

Once your business is active with the Live Local Marketplace and you have an active donation link setup (gofundme etc.), you can use these instructions to set up a PayPal Virtual Tip Jar.