Awareness

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Holiday Gift Guide: Buy Local Season 2024
Holiday Gift Guide: Buy Local Season 2024

Happy Buy Local Season! Because LLF encourages you to shift your dollars towards local businesses this holiday season, we want to make sure you know of the best local and giftable products available online this year. We’ve spotlighted some of our favorites here! Charleston Waterways... Continue Reading

Postedby Erin Solka
Date posted10/3/2024


Hurricane Helene Relief: Support Local Business' Recovery
Hurricane Helene Relief: Support Local Business' Recovery

Our hearts are with our neighbors in Appalachia and the southeastern US who have been affected by Hurricane Helene. We encourage you to support disaster relief efforts and buy from local business’ online stores in the region if you are able. Gift cards are always a good idea! The City of... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted10/1/2024


October 2024: Advocacy Updates
October 2024: Advocacy Updates

Our hearts are with our neighbors in Appalachia and the southeastern US who have been affected by Hurricane Helene. We encourage you to support disaster relief efforts and buy from local business’ online stores in the region if you are able. Gift cards are always a good idea! Explore more... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted10/1/2024


Local Entrepreneur Awarded $10,000 Through Pitch Competition
Local Entrepreneur Awarded $10,000 Through Pitch Competition

Lowcountry Local First’s Good Enterprises Initiative hosts 3rd annual “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted09/26/2024


September 2024: Advocacy Updates
September 2024: Advocacy Updates

City of Charleston Mayor William Cogswell unveiled the city’s new Basin Flood Action Program (BFAP) following a public workshop about the Charleston Integrated Water Plan (CIWP) with city council on Aug 27. BFAP marks a decisive step in addressing Charleston’s most pressing... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted09/1/2024


Credit Card Payment Settlement Deadline for Filing Extended
Credit Card Payment Settlement Deadline for Filing Extended

The below update is provided by the Independent Restaurant Coalition: — Credit Card Payment Settlement Deadline for Filing Extended If your business accepted Visa or MasterCard credit cards between 2004 and 2019, you may be eligible for a payment as part of a recent $5.5 billion class-action... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted08/14/2024


August 2024: Advocacy Updates
August 2024: Advocacy Updates

Local Level: Johns Island, It's Your Turn to Engage in the City of Charleston Zoning Code Rewrite: The City of Charleston is undertaking an update to its Zoning Code called Setting New Standards. The purpose is to modernize the regulations that govern development in the City, to make them... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted07/31/2024


Town of Mount Pleasant Launches Small Business Success Series
Town of Mount Pleasant Launches Small Business Success Series

The Town of Mount Pleasant, in collaboration with Lowcountry Local First, is proud to announce the launch of the Small Business Success Series. This innovative workshop series aims to equip local entrepreneurs and small business owners with essential knowledge and practical tools to thrive in... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted07/2/2024


2024 Annual Member Survey Debrief
2024 Annual Member Survey Debrief

At Lowcountry Local First, we believe local ownership matters. Our goal 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 posted06/26/2024


July 2024 Advocacy Updates
July 2024 Advocacy Updates

New Data: We recently wrapped up our 2024 Member Survey, with more than 60 responses captured. These results help inform our team of what kinds of programming and advocacy efforts matter most to you, and what the community needs at large in order to fulfill our mission. View the summary and key... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/26/2024


Strengthening Communities: The Power of Local Preference Policies in Municipal Procurement
Strengthening Communities: The Power of Local Preference Policies in Municipal Procurement

Lowcountry Local First has been advocating for stronger, enforced and tracked local preference policies with our local municipalities for more than a decade. In the realm of municipal governance, few policies hold as much potential for catalyzing local economic growth as robust local preference... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/24/2024


Celebrate your Local Independents in July!
Celebrate your Local Independents in July!

What is Independents Month? Independents Month (July), part of AMIBA’s Choose Indie Local program, is a time to recognize our locally owned and independent businesses and the community values they embody: Their spirit of entrepreneurship, individuality, uniqueness, and character. How... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted06/20/2024