News

Pictured: Neil Oliver Get to know the Lowcountry’s local-independent business community, one changemaker at a time. “Small Talks, Big Ideas with Steve” is a podcast that features local business insights and updates, alongside interviews with members, sponsors, and... Continue Reading

Pictured: Jeff Plotner Get to know the Lowcountry’s local-independent business community, one changemaker at a time. “Small Talks, Big Ideas with Steve” is a podcast that features local business insights and updates, alongside interviews with members, sponsors, and... Continue Reading

As we continue the work to evolve into an anti-racist organization, we wish to let transparency and humility lead the way. We will continue to provide updates on steps taken, goals set and ways you can hold us accountable. Immediate Actions Taken: – As a starting place, we held... Continue Reading

We are deeply saddened by the destruction of businesses in downtown Charleston and across the nation, but we are more outraged at the killing of innocent black people. We believe the anger and frustration being displayed is valid. Unfortunately peaceful protests and being “strong”... Continue Reading

These past 2 months have felt like 2 years. My team and I have been in the trenches with the local business community that we love and depend on. We have been helping them navigate the funding options available in a constantly changing environment, offering individual consulting and providing... Continue Reading

Provided by Jamee Haley, Executive Director. Posted by the Post & Courier, May 14, 2020: Once the panic subsides, if it does subside, we would be mistaken to not pause long enough to think about the future of our city, region and country through a new lens. Charleston’s real... Continue Reading

** ALERT: We are now updating this Resources Hub page of our site. Please use this new page for the most current updates. ACTION ITEMS: Apply for SBA relief loan. View SC Department of Commerce resource center. View SC employment law resources. Facebook has launched a $100... Continue Reading

View recording of a webinar held with William Furman from the SBA on Wed, Mar 24 at 3 pm. ET. View slides from the webinar. Additional information regarding the SBA’s Economic Disaster Relief Program is shared below including application completion tips and SBA’s FACT... Continue Reading

Eat Local Challenge: Make the ShiftApril 1-30Lowcountry Local First’s Eat Local Challenge takes place throughout the entire month of April each year. We challenge you to shift $10 or more of your weekly food spending towards the local food system. By signing the Pledge, we’ll... Continue Reading

You can’t buy love, but you can buy local and that’s kind of the same thing. Show off your Local Love and support locally-owned businesses this Valentine’s Day. Not sure where to start? We have you covered with our Local Business Directory. Last Minute Valentine’s... Continue Reading

At Lowcountry Local First, we believe ownership matters and relationships matter. Our goal is to support the local business community and tailor our programs to help our community gain access to every chance at success. That’s why we work with businesses, community members, and... Continue Reading

The Local First Awards are an annual celebration of the Lowcountry’s local-independent businesses whose legacy of work and choices support the local community and envision business as a force for good. This year’s Local First Awards took place on January 8th at the Cedar Room... Continue Reading