2026 Advocacy Priorities

The below set of 1-year priorities for 2026 compliment the organization's ongoing Advocacy Principles as outlined here and enable the staff of Lowcountry Local First to act swiftly towards policy and regulatory opportunities that align within.

1. Advance Small Business Anti-Displacement Support & Policy 

Establish a framework to protect local business tenants from construction- and gentrification-related displacement.

• Tactic: Develop a regional Small Business Anti-Displacement Task Force composed of commercial developers and municipal partners. This task force will examine best practices from other communities and develop an on-demand small business tenant toolkit of resources.

2. Expand Municipal Partnerships and Regulatory Reform

Deepen engagement with local governments to foster a more local business-friendly regulatory environment.

• Tactic: Grow and nurture the Local Economic Ambassador member network to improve regulatory burdens on small businesses and increase cross-municipality collaboration. Host member regulatory listening sessions with multiple municipal partners.

3. Increase Local Business Procurement Readiness and Access

Empower local businesses to successfully compete for public and private contracts.

• Tactic: Develop or partner on at least 2 procurement-readiness trainings to demystify the process, explore certifications and improve bid logistics.
• Tactic: Leverage the municipal partnerships to advocate for policies that increase the volume of local procurement by government entities. Lowcountry Local First staff and board to present to multiple local councils on why shifting government dollars to local business matters.
  
  

4. Cultivate Inclusive Local Business Leadership and Engagement

Build a diverse, informed, and empowered base of advocates to amplify the local business voice across the Lowcountry region.

• Tactic: Expand the Advocacy Committee to include a strategic group of business owners and partner organization representatives. This committee will collaborate, share resources, and provide input to Lowcountry Local First's advocacy efforts. 
• Tactic: Equip local business advocates through an interactive session at Good Business Summit to spur effective civic and community engagement.
  
  

Questions? Email our Director of Advocacy & Communications, Jordan@lowcountrylocalfirst.org.