Since its inception in 2008, the Be Local Coupon Book has been a favorite among Durango community members and businesses. But two key challenges emerged over time. The first was that producing the book took too much staff time. The second was people often forgot to bring the book with them while shopping or found it inconvenient to carry.  

Local First, the nonprofit behind the book, saw the possibilities that AI could offer in solving these problems. With support and funding from the AI Institute’s Elevate AI incubator, they were able to meet their goal: use artificial intelligence to make the book easier to build and easier to use.  

Local First’s Membership and Communications Specialist Ashley Christie led the project with support from the AI Institute’s Junior AI Analyst Blake Mister. They used ChatGPT and Airtable’s AI features to create an automated system for organizing content, tracking ads, and messaging members. Airtable could even alert staff when changes were made or content was approved. Suddenly, scattered spreadsheets and long email chains were replaced with one clear, streamlined workspace.

The team began developing an app that could bring the coupon book to people’s phones. This digital version has the potential to increase coupon use, foot traffic, and sales for local stores, enhancing the impact of Local First’s mission.

The new system saved staff time right away, but the team says it didn’t replace the human side of the work. Local creativity and community relationships still came first.  

“Local First is grateful to the AI Institute’s AI Incubator program for supporting us in enhancing the Be Local Coupon Book. Their guidance and knowledge helped streamline complex processes, allowing our staff to spend more time engaging with Local First members and our localist community, while continuing to advance our mission," said Christie.

While the digital coupon app is still in testing, its potential impact is already clear. In the hands of local shoppers, it could become more than just a tool. It could be a new way to invest in the Durango community, one small purchase at a time. Watch for the launch of the app in 2026.

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