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2025 Annual Member Survey Debrief
2025 Annual Member Survey Debrief

At Lowcountry Local First, we believe local ownership matters. Our mission 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 policymakers to build support... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/30/2025


July 2025 Advocacy Updates
July 2025 Advocacy Updates

Local Level Our 2025 Annual Member Survey debrief is now live on our website. Check out our top takeaways or skim the full results here. To fulfill our mission, we must keep a pulse on the local business community we serve — to know the pain points and the victories —... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/30/2025


June 2025: Advocacy Updates
June 2025: Advocacy Updates

Local Level We're proud to welcome the Town of Mount Pleasant and their Mount Pleasant Made Initiative as a Local Economic Ambassador Member of our organization, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to supporting and elevating local, independent businesses. Read more! Eat Local!... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/1/2025


Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry Local First Launch Partnership to Boost Local Business Growth
Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry Local First Launch Partnership to Boost Local Business Growth

The Town of Mount Pleasant is proud to announce a new partnership with Lowcountry Local First (LLF) as part of its Local Economic Ambassador program, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to supporting and elevating local, independent businesses. This collaboration launches in July and will be... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/28/2025


Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit
Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit

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

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/22/2025


What does responsible tourism look like?
What does responsible tourism look like?

Lowcountry Local First participated in a Historic Charleston Foundation + Bloomberg Philanthropies-hosted forum on responsible tourism held on May 20, 2025. A full room at The Charleston Museum officially launched a months-long process to support the City of Charleston as it works to draft a new... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/21/2025


Beyond the Stage Door: A Local's Guide to Charleston Flavors & Finds
Beyond the Stage Door: A Local's Guide to Charleston Flavors & Finds

Welcome, arts enthusiasts, to our beautiful Charleston! While you're here soaking in the incredible talent of the Spoleto Festival, we encourage you to truly experience the heart of our city – its local businesses. Step away from the well-trodden tourist paths and discover the unique... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/13/2025


Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program
Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program

Update from May 13: The City of Charleston’s Hospitality Parking Pilot Program has reached capacity, and the permit application window is now closed. On May 8, 2025, the City of Charleston announced the launch of a Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program, a new initiative designed to... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/8/2025


May 2025: Advocacy Updates
May 2025: Advocacy Updates

Worth a read: Many of you read and shared the Medium article, "The Downtown Death Spiral: Charleston's Best Businesses Are Closing and It's Not Their Fault," by Peyton Steele. It resonated far and wide and echoed a lot of the concerns we've raised over the last decade+. We're still advocating... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/1/2025


April 2025: Advocacy Updates
April 2025: Advocacy Updates

Local Updates A special election has been set for May 27 to fill three vacant seats on the North Charleston City Council after federal corruption charges were announced against three council members. - via Charleston City Paper Take the 5-minute King Street Business Improvement... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/31/2025


The Squeeze on Local: Tariffs, Stockpiling, and Rising Costs
The Squeeze on Local: Tariffs, Stockpiling, and Rising Costs

Are the headlines about tariffs making you dizzy? On again, off again. Anxiety, then relief. For local business owners, the relief is nowhere in sight.Yesterday was Lowcountry Local First’s 12th annual Good Business Summit – a gathering for those who believe in business as a force for... Continue Reading

Postedby Jacquie Berger
Date posted03/7/2025


March 2025: Advocacy Updates
March 2025: Advocacy Updates

Don't miss: Our Good Business Summit is held Thursday, March 6 at the Charleston Music Hall, including a session just for those curious about what advocacy looks like as a small business leader. Come join the conversation with expert panelists! Learn more and register here. Advocacy in Action:... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/3/2025