WE'RE ON A MISSION

OUR MISSION

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

We've been working towards this mission since 2007, creating a movement that champions a thriving local economy, and fostering an unwavering sense of local pride and connection. 

WHAT WE DO

• Work with elected officials, decision-makers and opinion leaders to foster a better environment to start and grow local businesses.

• Educate the community on why it’s important to choose local and influence them to do so.

• Deliver resources, expertise and a supportive network to local business owners, from local business owners.

Running a small business is hard. For many, it can feel like a lonely journey. We’re proud to be the engine behind a generous “give and take” system of shared knowledge, cultivating meaningful connections between experienced local business owners who are eager to lend support, and those who are just getting started who can benefit immensely from the lessons-learned by their peers. 

We accomplish this through a series of committee-led offerings, including commercial space advising, access to unconventional funding sources, pro-bono marketing projects, and general business consulting. These offerings come to life in our Growth Hub, which includes tools to help locals:

• Grow with hands-on training in business planning and management

• Grow with the most attainable sources of funding 

• Grow into your first brick and mortar 

• Grow your business with targeted marketing strategies   

• Grow with expert guidance in a variety of professional service areas (available to Lowcountry Local First members only)

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

We know that for every dollar spent with a locally-owned business, three-times more of that dollar stays circulating in the local economy than if spent with a national chain competitor. Local businesses play a critical role in community well-being, preserving the unique soul of our Lowcountry communities, creating good jobs, supporting a healthy local tax base, and by encouraging product diversity, fair competition, and environmental sustainability.

Locally-owned businesses are engines of opportunity, creating pathways to and for the middle class. Citizens, governments and anchor institutions all play an important role in creating an environment that supports locals’ ability to start and grow their own businesses. That’s where we come in. We advocate for a level-playing field for local entrepreneurs across industries and backgrounds, and work to ensure they have the tools and support they need to thrive.  

HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE LOCAL MOVEMENT

• Join as a Certified Local Business Member.

• Join as a Local Economic Ambassador Member (for local/regional government agencies only).

• Support our work with a donation or partner on a seasonal public awareness campaign.