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
Tort Reform and Liquor Liability, H3430, was signed into law in May 2025 for the state of South Carolina and brought significant changes to any business serving alcohol for on-premise consumption. The law was initially set to have enforcement of the alcohol service training portion begin Mar 2,... Continue Reading
H4758 is progressing through Senate amendment debates (as of March 12), aiming to regulate the distribution and sale of consumable hemp. While we support the proposed new safety and testing standards for THC-infused beverages and gummies, we do not support a full ban OR the restriction of sales... Continue Reading
Local On February 19, Charleston County Council approved the first draft of funding allocations for the half-cent Transportation Sales Tax referendum expected to be on the ballot this November. This is the breakdown of how the revenue generated from the sales tax would be spent (subject to... Continue Reading
Join us at Lowcountry Local First's 13th annual Good Business Summit this month on February 18th as we explore business as a force for good. A special interactive breakout session after lunch will equip attendees with connections and tactics to grow collective, neighborhood-level advocacy... Continue Reading
Happy New Year, Localists and Locavores! We invite you to review our recently approved 2026 Advocacy Priorities to see key areas where we'll be investing our time and energy in the months ahead. In other news... Local Building a strong local community starts with you and your dollars. We... Continue Reading
