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
A shortened version of the below ran as a Letter to the Editor in The Post and Courier on Sunday, July 5, 2026. 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... 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
Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates Town of Mount Pleasant launches Plan Pop-Ups: These informal conversations give you the opportunity to talk with Town's Planning Department staff members about what issues the Town should focus on most in the years ahead, from traffic and... Continue Reading
Update on April 20, 2026 via Main Street Alliance: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection began accepting IEEPA tariff refunds through their portal on April 20, 2026 at 8AM EST. If your business paid these tariffs, you may now be eligible to get that money back. Here’s what you need to know... Continue Reading
Did you know? South Carolina is number 10 in the country for electric bill overpayments due to excessive shareholder returns, effectively guaranteed to the utilities by the Public Service Commission. The average household overpayment is $248 per year. The Energy and Policy Institute released a... Continue Reading
