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June 2023 Advocacy Updates
June 2023 Advocacy Updates

Below are things you should know or take action on right now as a local-independent business owner or community leader: Union Pier BAR Planning Commission special meeting on Union Pier: June 7, 5 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in person to speak in order for comments... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/1/2023


Eat Drink Local Month to shine light on local food, beverage businesses
Eat Drink Local Month to shine light on local food, beverage businesses

Lowcountry Local First to host 12th annual Eat Drink Local Month campaign in May Continue Reading

Postedby Erika Grimes
Date posted04/13/2023


15th annual Chef's Potluck Event Policies
15th annual Chef's Potluck Event Policies

TICKET POLICY: This event is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. A one-time ticket transfer is permissible. HEALTH POLICY: Due to the nature of this event, we cannot address individual allergy concerns. Each participating chef is asked to prepare at least one vegetarian dish. We ask... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted02/28/2023


Good Enterprises Initiative hosts inaugural “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event
Good Enterprises Initiative hosts inaugural “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event

Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a nonprofit focused on economic development centered around local-ownership, hosted its inaugural “Ready, Set, Pitch!” competition on December 3, 2022 to award cash and in-kind prizes to five local entrepreneurs. Nearly 200 graduates of the... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted12/6/2022


The Local Arts: Footlight Players
The Local Arts: Footlight Players

For the month of August, we’re celebrating the arts! We’re proud to have dozens of small business members, including the Footlight Players, a theatre company located in Downtown Charleston. This Lowcountry giant has been a part of the local arts scene since the early 1930s. For this... Continue Reading

Postedby Erika Grimes
Date posted08/9/2022


Town of James Island, Lowcountry Local First Announce New Small Business Support Partnership
Town of James Island, Lowcountry Local First Announce New Small Business Support Partnership

NEWS RELEASE // TOWN OF JAMES ISLAND // AUGUST 1, 2022: A new partnership between the Town of James Island and Lowcountry Local First is now offering localized business training and strategic small business support. The annual partnership includes a Community Storefront Challenge and the business... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted08/1/2022


The 2022 Member Survey Results
The 2022 Member Survey Results

At Lowcountry Local First, we believe ownership matters and relationships matter. 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... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted07/7/2022


$789,000 US EDA Grant Awarded to Lowcountry Local First’s Good Growth Program
$789,000 US EDA Grant Awarded to Lowcountry Local First’s Good Growth Program

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a two-year $789,724 grant to Lowcountry Local First to support the organization’s Good Growth Program. This program will expand upon the organization’s Good Enterprises entrepreneurship... Continue Reading

Postedby Jacquie Berger
Date posted06/1/2022


2021 Annual Report and how you can support our work
2021 Annual Report and how you can support our work

Scientists have long-agreed that diversity of species within an ecosystem directly influences its health and resilience. As the number of species in any ecosystem declines, it loses its ability to rebound after it has been stressed. We believe this same rule applies to our economic... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/24/2022


#GoodBiz22 Poem: Dare to Dream
#GoodBiz22 Poem: Dare to Dream

Dare to Dream by Jammie Huynh; Written and performed live on Feb 24, 2022 at the Charleston Music Hall for the 9th annual Good Business Summit We were all born dreamers. Dreams of space, of kings and queens, monsters and magic. We dreamed, then we dreamed some more. We dreamed of being... Continue Reading

Date posted02/24/2022


Welcome our 2022 Board of Directors
Welcome our 2022 Board of Directors

Lowcountry Local First, a nonprofit that cultivates an economy anchored in local ownership, is proud to welcome its 2022 Board of Directors. The Board includes talented and passionate business leaders from a wide variety of sectors who recognize the importance of choosing local in order to keep... Continue Reading

Date posted01/21/2022


In Support of the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission
In Support of the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission

Lowcountry Local First supports the approval of the Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission to continue to provide focus on policy solutions to address equity and economic empowerment in the City of Charleston. As we work to transform lives and build sustainable communities through... Continue Reading

Date posted01/18/2022