What Local Business Owners Are Telling Us

2026 Tri-County Small Business Advocacy Survey

The results are in — and Lowcountry Local First is listening.

In May-June 2026, we surveyed 116 qualified local business owners across Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties to get a clear, honest picture of how small businesses in our region are really doing. From retail shops and restaurants to contractors, consultants, and creatives, the respondents represent the backbone of our local economy.

The short version? Our business community is resilient and optimistic — but under real pressure.

More than half of respondents saw revenue growth in 2025, and nearly 40% are planning to hire in the coming months. That's reason for optimism. But rising costs remain the number one challenge, cited by 50% of business owners, and the ripple effects are showing up everywhere — in higher prices, tighter margins, delayed investments, and growing concerns about making ends meet.

Ongoing tariff uncertainty is adding a new layer of stress. Commercial rent, wages, and insurance continue to squeeze operating budgets. And while the majority rate our local business climate as "good" or better, there's a clear message coming through the open-ended responses: businesses need more targeted support — from tax relief and access to affordable capital, to cutting bureaucratic red tape and marketing resources that help drive local foot traffic.

We're sharing these findings because your voice matters, and because advocacy rooted in real data is how we create real change.

View the full breakdown of survey results.