Lowcountry Local First Awarded $1 Million Grant to Launch Invest Local Initiative

Economic Development Administration investment will expand access to capital and financial education for small businesses across the Lowcountry

Lowcountry Local First has been awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop and expands the Invest Local Initiative, a new program that will improve access to capital for Lowcountry-based small businesses through unconventional funding and financial education.

The award was announced by EDA as part of $9.5 million in investments supporting economic development projects in four states. Lowcountry Local First was the only South Carolina recipient. The awards were made through EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, which build on existing regional assets and help carry out economic development strategies in distressed communities.

The Invest Local Initiative is designed to reinforce economic self-reliance and strengthen economic recovery and resilience by expanding access to entrepreneurial capital for small businesses. It is designed to reach small businesses that have historically faced barriers to traditional financing, including those recovering from the impacts of recent natural disasters. The program will enable small business owners through private-sector-led funding mechanisms such as crowd-funding, crowd-lending, and localized investment networks. By prioritizing character-based lending and relationship-driven capital solutions, the project will drive recovery and financial independence for both Main Street and rural entrepreneurs.

The Invest Local Initiative was piloted in 2025-2026 thanks to support from S.C. Department of Commerce, Charleston County Economic Development, Stronger Works, and Wells Fargo. The EDA funding will enable Lowcountry Local First to expand its services more deeply into Dorchester and Berkeley Counties.

“We know that small, locally-owned businesses need capital to get off the ground and grow. While our community benefits from banks, credit unions, and CDFIs, alternative platforms can sometimes be a better first step, unlocking both flexible, affordable capital, and community support for your small business,” said Jacquie Berger, Executive Director, Lowcountry Local First. “We are so grateful for this investment that supports our community’s ability to invest in the people and businesses that directly shape and strengthen our local economy.”

“I was proud to support federal grant funding for the Lowcountry Local First’s Lowcountry Resilience initiative,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “This funding will ensure the small businesses across Berkeley and Dorchester counties have the necessary resources to prepare, navigate, and recover from natural disasters. Investing in our small businesses is an investment in a more prosperous future for the Lowcountry."

“The Economic Development Administration’s Public Works Program is designed to help distressed communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Ben Page, Economic Development Administration. “The awards announced today will enable these communities to encourage business expansion and job creation, generate private investment, and attract new industries to support economic resilience.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Lowcountry,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01). “This investment expands access to capital, strengthens local entrepreneurship, and helps build a stronger, more resilient Lowcountry economy for years to come.”

“As the administrator of our region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, we strongly support the goals and objectives of this initiative,” said Ron Mitchum, Executive Director, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments. “Ensuring that small businesses affected by these natural disasters receive the necessary resources is critical to the resilience of our local economy.”

To learn more about the Invest Local Initiative, please visit lowcountrylocalfirst.org/invest-local.

About Lowcountry Local First (LowcountryLocalFirst.org)
Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local ownership through innovative and inclusive initiatives that build our community’s wealth and wellbeing.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.