🍽️ Eat: Before making that dinner reservation, review the South Carolina Aquarium’s Good Catch Partners list of local restaurants committed to serving locally sourced seafood, such as Fleet Landing, Chez Nous, and The Grocery. Ted’s Butcherblock hosts Dinner’s for a Cause... Continue Reading
Awareness
Annual Public Awareness Campaigns
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
Charleston’s hospitality scene is often celebrated for its ability to feel both deeply rooted and constantly evolving. Behind many of its most compelling spaces is a powerful, often unseen force: collaboration. Few partnerships exemplify this better than the ongoing relationship between... Continue Reading
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to strike down President Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court upheld lower court decisions finding that the administration exceeded its authority by invoking a... Continue Reading
Farmers’ Markets provide excellent opportunities to meet farmers directly and learn more about their products, practices, and methods of sale, while also allowing you to stock up on fresh groceries! Fortunately for us, the Lowcountry is full of great neighborhood markets. There are more... Continue Reading
Dominion is advertising a 6% overall rate increase for the commercial class. However, for a typical small business, the actual impact could be much higher. Because of how the rates are structured, "low-energy" users (like a small retail shop or a professional office) are hit the hardest. 1. The... 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
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
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
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Mara Fields 843-801-3390 mara@lowcountrylocalfirst.org LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST SHARES UPDATED PLANS FOR THE GOOD BUSINESS SUMMIT AHEAD OF ORGANIZATION’S 20th ANNIVERSARY Charleston, SC – Lowcountry Local First... Continue Reading
As we roll into the second month of Do Good Season, we’re inviting our community to put purpose behind their purchases by supporting Black-owned businesses. From makers and retailers to farmers, creatives, and service providers, Black entrepreneurs are doing incredible work right here in... Continue Reading
