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
🍽️ 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
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
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
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
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
