News

The following are advocacy updates impacting local-independent businesses at the local, state, or federal level. For questions or more info, please contact Director of Operations, Lauren Gellatly, at lauren@lowcountrylocalfirst.org. Update on Expanded Outdoor Dining Regulations [LOCAL] ... Continue Reading

(Do you know of a market not listed below? Let us know!) — UPCOMING MARKETS — Daniel Island Night MarketFriday | Dec. 17, 2021 | 5-8pmGuggenheim Terrace200 Seven Farms Dr,Charleston, SC December Charleston Night BazaarSaturday | Dec. 18, 2021 | 4-9pmEdmund’s Oast... Continue Reading

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) launched its 10th annual Buy Local Season campaign on November 1st as a grassroots movement to build awareness for the positive community benefits of supporting local, independent businesses—particularly during the holiday season. The organization urges the... Continue Reading

Pictured: Jocelyn Patterson 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,... Continue Reading

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