News

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Continue Reading

What is Independents Month? Independents Month, celebrated throughout July, is part of AMIBA’s national Choose Indie Local program. It’s a dedicated time to honor and uplift the locally owned, independent businesses that build economic opportunity, local character and a sense of... Continue Reading

Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates VIEW 2026 LOCAL BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS Congratulations to the City of North Charleston for being a 2026 National Civic League All America City winner, and to the Town of Mount Pleasant for being inducted into their Hall of Fame for past... Continue Reading

2026 Tri-County Small Business Advocacy Survey The results are in — and Lowcountry Local First is listening. In May-June 2026, we surveyed 116 qualified local business owners across Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties to get a clear, honest picture of how small businesses in our... Continue Reading

Charleston is embarking on an important rewrite of its tourism management plan (in tandem with the related Peninsula Plan) for the first time in many years. We applaud city leaders for recognizing that tourism's impacts and opportunities have evolved dramatically. We are especially encouraged to... Continue Reading

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 graduates of the Spanish-language Community Business Academy! We’re inspired by the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of this cohort as they take the next step in their business journeys. Since the program’s launch in Fall 2019,... Continue Reading

REMINDER: The annual Local Business Survey closes June 12. Let your voice be heard! Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates VIEW THE CALENDAR OF LOCAL PUBLIC GOVERNMENT MEETINGS The City of North Charleston launches their comprehensive zoning code rewrite process this month with... Continue Reading

In the fall of 2024, Hurricane Helene ravaged the Carolinas, devastating many communities and destroying critical infrastructure. The road to recovery continues in some SC/NC communities. In the months after the storm, it was impossible to go to a local business and not be provided a way to... Continue Reading

A Series of Charleston County Economic Development Site Visits At Lowcountry Local First (LLF), we’ve always known that the heartbeat of Charleston County’s economy is the multitude of small businesses, from off the beaten paths to main street. It beats because of the unsung... Continue Reading

We see you, small business owner. You are busy. And you’re up against a lot. Understanding how local land use policies and zoning regulations impact your business isn't just bureaucratic jargon – it's crucial for your bottom line and the very fabric of our beloved cities and... Continue Reading

Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates The Town of Mount Pleasant released its 2025 Annual Report in April. View the digital version here for a glimpse into the major milestones, initiatives, and achievements that shaped the Town over the past year. Lowcountry Rapid Transit... Continue Reading

We’re proud to spotlight another inspiring success story from our Invest Local Initiative: Addielee’s Kitchen & Catering LLC , a women-owned food business rooted in family, flavor, and community. Meet the Story Behind the Business Annie Whitlock’s lifelong passion for... Continue Reading